FAR RAG UT 



JAMES BARNES 



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MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT 




Captain Porter and young Farragut arrive at the Essex. 

(See page 10.) 



\ 

MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT 



BY 



JAMES BARNES 

AUTHOR OF FOR KING OR COUNTRY, ETC. 



WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY CARLTON T. CHAPMAN AND OTHERS 



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H-\u<fl-^r* 



NEW YORK 

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 

1896 



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Copyright, 1896, 
By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY. 



• DEDICATION. 

To my friend Loyall Farragut, whose work, 
The Life of David Glasgow Farragut, I have 
drawn upon so frequently, this little book is 
dedicated. The interest he has shown in my 
attempt to tell a story of the boyhood of his 
father to the boys of to-day is hereby acknowl- 
edged zaith deep gratitude. 



PREFACE. 



In writing this little book the author has adhered 
closely to facts in the boyhood life of Admiral Farragut, 
and if possibilities in the way of conversations and in- 
cidents have been introduced, they can hardly be said 
to be pure inventions. In the Memoirs of Commodore 
David Porter, written by his son, the late Admiral 
David D. Porter, are recorded many historical speeches, 
some of which the author of this chronicle has taken 
the liberty of reproducing, setting them down verbatim. 
Porter's Narrative, a journal kept by the commander of 
the Essex, has been of great assistance to the author also 
in this writing, and from the Life and Letters of Admiral 
Farragut much more has been gleaned, and not a little 
taken from unpublished correspondence. 

The characters, with one exception, are historical, and 
but one or two small incidents, that might well have hap- 
pened, have been taken from the imagination. 

That so young a boy should have displayed such for- 
titude and knowledge as are recorded of Midshipman Far- 
ragut may strike us as being almost too wonderful, but in 
the matter of dates and facts, as I have said, this is the 
early record of a life whose great promise was fulfilled. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER PAGE 

I. — Louisiana i 

II. — A MIDSHIPMAN OF THE ESSEX 8 

III. — Practical instruction 14 

IV. — The cloud of war 20 

V. — A capture 26 

VI. — A Yankee trick 32 

VII. — From sun to snow 44 

VIII. — In the Pacific 52 

IX. — A LUCKY SCRAPE 6l 

X. — An exchange of crews 73 

XI. — Farewell to Nukahiva 84 

XII. — A sailor on horseback 96 

XIII. — The arrival of the enemy 106 

XIV. — Skirmishings 117 

XV. — The approaching conflict 126 

XVI. — Misfortune 131 

XVII.— The finale 148 



ix 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



FACING 
PAGE 



Captain Porter and young Farragut arrive at the Essex Frontispiece 

The boatswain's mate discourses upon the war 

The young midshipman discovers a man-o'-war 

The Essex and squadron at Nukahiva . 

The Essex cuts out the bark . 

Capturing the Alert . 

Diagram showing the cruise of the Essex 

" We have started both our anchors, Captain .Porter ! " 

The Phoebe and Cherub attacking the Essex 



21 
40 

67 

82 

97 
114 
132 
140 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



CHAPTER I. 

LOUISIANA. 

A little, narrow canoe made from a hollowed log 
was dancing up and down at the end of a small wharf 
that extended into the shallow waters of Lake Pont- 
chartrain. 

The palmetto trees and the moss-laden oaks grew 
to the water's edge, where on a narrow stretch of 
beach some little negro boys were playing noisily in 
the sun. 

All at once one of them set up a shout. 

" Hyah comes Massa David," he said, pointing up a 
path that led down to the pier. 

A figure no bigger than any of the little negroes, 
dressed in a light, cool suit of white cotton, stepped 
down the bank — a clear-eyed youngster with a high 
forehead and waving brown hair. 

" What are you doing, Eugene ? " he called to the 
largest black boy. 

" Playin' huntin' 'gator, sah," responded the small 
negro, with a touch of that strange accent, half Afri- 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



can, half French, that marks the speech of the Louisiana 
blacks. 

In those days it was easy to play at hunting real alli- 
gators, for that matter ; their great forms were plentiful 
along the bayous and inlets of the lake, and the run- 
ways, where they crawled in and out to sun themselves 
on warm days, were evident without much searching. 

The little white boy joined in with the others in their 
play. He had always wrestled and run races with them, 
but, although they were his companions, there was a 
marked difference in their mutual treatment — indeed, 
the little boy addressed as " Eugene " belonged heart 
and body to the youngster in the white cotton suit. 

While the game was at its noisiest a tall, slight man 
appeared on the path. 

" David," called a musical and commanding voice, 
" come out for a sail with me, my son." 

It was not exactly put in the form of a request ; it 
was more like a command. The little negroes had 
stopped their noise at once, and without a word their 
young master joined the tall man who had now made 
his way out on the pier and was untying the fasten- 
ings of the pirogue, the name given to the wooden ca- 
noes of the gulf. 

The boy did not speak, but settled himself in the 
stern sheets, making room for his father to sit beside 
him. 

Only skillful handling could carry such a long, nar- 
row, and apparently dangerous craft through the choppy 



LOUISIANA. 



seas. The wind was blowing - stiffly, and the sail of the 
pirogue was large and held the breeze in a manner that 
caused the little craft to list now and then dangerously 
to leeward. 

The boy held tight to the seat, the spray dashing into 
his face. Not once did a look of fear, however, show 
for an instant. 

The skipper seemed to enjoy the sensation. He 
would shove the little vessel's nose up into the wind at 
exactly the right moment. Often he would lean far out 
over the side to help keep the proper balance. 

No mistake, Sailing-Master George Farragut could 
handle a pirogue in a way that was equaled by none 
of the half-breed or the Creole fishermen who made 
their living along the bayous and the lake. In fact, 
he was the only one who had ever made a voyage in 
one of these crank vessels from New Orleans to Ha- 
vana and returned in safety. 

At last, after sailing on in silence for a few minutes, 
Mr. Farragut turned. 

" David," he said, " we are going to have a visitor to- 
night. You may remember a naval officer who was ill 
at our house some time ago and who died there. It is 
his son, Commander David Porter, who is coming to 
visit us. We must try to make it comfortable for 
him." 

" Yes, sir," the little boy said gravely. He remem- 
bered well the visit of Commodore Porter and the 
time that his elder brother William had entered the 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



navy. Secretly in his heart he had cherished the 
hope that some day he might wear the same uni- 
form, that he might sail abroad and see the strange 
countries of which he had often and often heard his 
father speak. 

When they had returned to the landing, the boy 
helped to tie the pirogue in its accustomed place 
and, taking his father's hand, walked silently beside 
him up to the low rambling house, half concealed 
in its covering of vines whose leaves tapped against 
the small window frames. A little girl and a tiny 
youngster of four greeted their father and brother at 
the doorway, and were sent away to get dressed in 
their best clothes. 

That evening a tall, handsome man in a fine uniform, 
with a high, stiff stock and gold-laced epaulets sat at 
Mr. Farragut's table. Little David could hardly keep 
his admiring eyes from Commander Porter's splendid 
figure. He had scarcely spoken throughout the meal, 
for the maxim had been very firmly impressed upon 
his mind that " small boys should be seen and not 
heard." 

The gentlemen had been talking together in low 
voices when suddenly Mr. Farragut raised his eyes and 
looked affectionately across the table at his son. The 
question he asked set David's heart beating as it hardly 
ever beat before. 

" Commander Porter wishes to know if you like the 
navy, my boy ? " he inquired. 



LOUISIANA. 



But before David could reply the naval officer had 
supplemented the question with another. 

" Would you come with me and be a midshipman 
some day ? " he asked. 

There was no shyness or no hesitation in the answer 
the small boy gave. His hands were tightly gripped 
together in his lap and his eyes shone. 

" Yes, sir," he said, " if father will let me." 

" Spoken like a little man," returned Commander 
Porter. " Mr. Farragut, let him go with me. I shall 
treat him as though he were my son." 

" We shall see," rejoined the father thoughtfully. — 
" Come now, run away." 

This last was addressed to David and his little sister. 
The children bowed as they went out the door, and 
left the gentlemen to their cigars. The boy did not 
know, however, the substance of the talk which fol- 
lowed, nor had he any idea that it was a long farewell 
he was soon to take of his Louisiana home. 

David had picked up little or no learning from books, 
except his letters, but his active mind recorded every- 
thing he saw. He knew the note of every bird in the 
canebrake. He could tell the different kinds of water- 
fowl that paddled about in the rushes offshore. Often 
at midnight he had lain awake listening to the boom 
of the alligators or the hoarse cry of the bittern in 
the swamps. But his mind had been always filled 
with a desire to see the stranger countries and 
stranger creatures of the lands from whence had 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



come the curious shells and the many relics that his 
father had collected in his voyages. 

Commander Porter had been attracted by David 
from the first, and it was a strange and sudden propo- 
sition that he made to Mr. Farragut. It was that he 
should adopt David and take care of his future and his 
bringing up. The children were half orphans, for their 
mother had died only a few years before. 

George Farragut hesitated some time. He was not a 
wealthy man, and his life had been a constant changing 
of one thing for another. He had been a merchant, a 
major in the army, a settler and trader with the Indians 
in Tennessee, a sailing master in the merchant service, 
and had commanded a schooner as an officer of the regu- 
lar navy before he had purchased the small farm on the 
Pascagoula River. But it was a chance for his son that 
might never come again. So, after some deliberation, he 
accepted the proposition. 

Commander Porter had then charge of the naval sta- 
tion at New Orleans. Through his influence it would be 
easy for him to obtain a midshipman's warrant for the 
little lad who had won his heart; but David was too 
young yet to go immediately into the service. So, when 
a few weeks later Commander Porter was relieved and 
transferred to Washington, the boy set out with him to 
attend school in the North. 

So thus came the day when he was to bid a final fare- 
well to the scenes that had come to mean home to him, 
and to set sail on the open sea. 



LOUISIANA. 



He did not weep, although he had hard work to 
choke back the tears as his father kissed him the last 
time. Mrs. Porter had opened her kind, motherly heart 
to the strange, dignified little lad, and as she stood beside 
him on the deck of her husband's vessel, watching Mr. 
Farragut row back to the shore, she held David's hand 
closely in her own. 

The Vesuvius, Commander Porter's vessel, was a 
small bomb ketch and the quarters were very cramped. 
It took some days' sailing before they were fairly out of 
the gulf; then they rounded the Florida capes, shaping 
their course for the North Atlantic. 

Already had love and admiration for his adopted 
father begun to fill the boy's heart. He admired the 
way in which he walked the small quarter-deck ; the 
manner in which the men jumped at his word ; and once, 
when there was a blow, and the Vesuvius was dipping 
deep into the great waves, he felt quite safe, as he had 
often felt in the pirogue with his real father, because 
he trusted the hand that was at the helm. He felt 
that with Commander Porter in charge, affairs could 
not go wrong. 

But soon they were to part; for immediately after 
the arrival of the Vesuvius in Philadelphia David was 
bundled off to a boarding school in a Pennsylvania 
town, and, as his life here was devoid of anything un- 
usual, we skip over it in this story and make haste to 
begin a more eventful chapter. 



CHAPTER II. 

A MIDSHIPMAN OF THE ESSEX. 

It was the early part of August in the year 1811. 
The weather was very warm. The dust covered the 
grass and the leaves of the ' trees until the lower 
branches had turned a silvery gray. 

Four sweltering horses were tugging a lumbering 
coach along a rough Virginia road. The wheels jolted 
and rattled noisily, and the people inside appeared too 
hot and uncomfortable for indulging in conversation. 

Seated back of the driver was a tall man in the 
uniform of an officer of the navy. His face was red, 
and he had tucked his handkerchief inside of the 
stock that came almost up to his ears ; the shirt frill 
that hung out of his unbuttoned coat was as wilted as 
if it had never known starch. A little boy was seated 
close beside him with his feet swinging loosely from 
side to side — his legs were too short to reach even 
to the top of the driver's seat. He had on trousers 
which the day before, when he had left school, had 
been white and new. Occasionally he would endeav- 
or to brush the dust from his sleeves, and he was 
bitterly regretting that he had not saved his best uni- 



A MIDSHIPMAN OF THE ESSEX. 



form against the time he should be on shipboard. The 
small blue jacket with brass buttons had been the envy 
of all the lads at the Chester Academy. 

David Glasgow Farragut was the ) ? oungest officer in 
the United States service, having received his appoint- 
ment as midshipman when he was but nine years and 
five months old. Now, at the age of ten, he was on 
his way with his adopted father, Captain Porter, to join 
his ship, the Essex, lying at anchor in the harbor of 
Norfolk. And thus we find the two making the long 
trip together by coach on this hot August day, a year 
after the events of the preceding chapter. 

As the lumbering, clumsy vehicle tottered down a 
steep run that led to the ford of a half-dry stream 
bed, one of the horses, that was slipping and holding 
back, with the collar almost over his eyes, missed his 
footing and fell. To avoid running over him, the 
driver hauled the leaders sharply across the road. The 
front wheels cramped, and, without a word of warning 
being given, the coach spilled every one on top into 
the mud and shallow water of the brook. Captain 
Porter was the first to get to his feet. Little David 
was kneeling waist deep looking about for his hat. 
The mud and the water had about completed the 
spoiling of his pride-inspiring uniform. 

" No one hurt ! " cried a fat merchant, brushing off 
his spattered cord breeches. 

" Then all on board again ! " laughed Captain Porter. 

Soon the coach was, so to speak, on its legs and 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



moving along ; late in the afternoon it rumbled into 
Norfolk. Even above the house tops and the trees, 
looking to seaward, the tall masts of the Essex could 
be seen. Captain Porter pointed the vessel out with 
pride. 

" There is our home, my son," he said, " I hope, for 
the next three years." 

When they reached the dock the tall officer walked 
out to the end of the stringpiece and waved his hand- 
kerchief. He had been seen, however, before this, and 
the sailors were tumbling out on the boat yards and 
sliding down into the gig. Soon they were pulling 
toward shore. 

David had involuntarily reached as if to take the 
Captain's hand for an instant, but had checked him- 
self. The tall figure bent over him. 

" Son," he said, softly, " you are a midshipman of the 
Essex now and I am her commander. Don't think that 
I am harsh or unkind, or that I do not love you, if I 
speak hard and sharp to you. You must, like the 
others, obey orders and be a little man." 

David drew himself up as he had seen one of the mid- 
shipmen on the Vesuvius do. His small fingers sought 
the brim of his cap. 

" Aye, aye, sir ! " he answered steadily ; but as they 
rowed out to the ship he never felt so lonely in his life, 
and not even on the first nisrht at the school in 
Chester had he felt such a sense of homesickness as 
he did when he crawled into his hammock in the 



A MIDSHIPMAN OF THE ESSEX. 



steerage only a short time after darkness had set in. 
The trip on the stage coach had been very weari- 
some ; he was sore and tired. 

David had not been surprised to find that he was 
the very smallest and the youngest of all the midship- 
men whose hammocks swung close to his, and he felt 
a little strange as he lay there doubled up in the 
hollow of the canvas bag that was much too big for 
him. The sounds of feet overhead on the deck, the 
shrilling now and then of the pipe, and the calling 
away of the boats kept him awake until almost mid- 
night. When at last he fell asleep he dreamed that he 
was once more sailing with his real father in the pi- 
rogue across the sunny waters of Lake Pontchartrain. 
He could hear the shrill laughter of the little negro 
boys, and imagined that he and Eugene had captured 
an alligator that could talk French after the manner 
of old Madame Dupont's green parrot. 

For three or four days now David remained on ship- 
board. It took some time to find out which was the 
stern and which was the bow, and often when he came 
out of the steerage he became twisted and started in 
the wrong direction. 

But to relate rather a curious thing that happened 
during the stay in harbor. On the police court rec- 
ords of Norfolk, Virginia, appears the following entry : 
" David Farragut, Midshipman, of the frigate Essex, 
bound over to keep the peace. Bonds furnished." 

And hereby hangs a story. David had been sent 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



ashore in charge of the first cutter, and was waiting at 
the end of the pier for the appearance of some officers 
whom he was to take off to the ship. The usual 
crowd of loafers and rowdies had collected along the 
shore. David's diminutive size (he was dressed in his 
cocked hat and brass buttons) attracted their atten- 
tion, and they began to poke fun at the " baby officer." 
For a long time he ignored these insults, but his crew 
was getting angrier every minute, and suddenly some- 
thing happened that started the finest kind of a row. 
A low-visaged fellow had obtained possession of a water- 
ing pot, and, leaning over the pier head, he carefully 
watered the little midshipman, at the same time ex- 
pressing the hope " that he might grow." 

This was too much. A sailor named Hawley loos- 
ened one of the boat's stretchers and hurled it at 
the offender. It caught him on the head and laid 
him low. A stone was thrown in return. The Jack- 
tars at this jumped out of the boat, and, swinging im- 
provised weapons — oars and boat hooks — about their 
heads, they waded into the crowd. All the way up the 
main street of the town they fought, David Farragut 
following close in their wake, now and then, it must 
be told, encouraging them by shrill, half-tearful 
shouts. 

The appearance of some constables on the scene 
interrupted matters, and the whole party, including the 
ringleaders of the rioters, were marched to the station 
house. But the only notice taken on board ship of 



A MIDSHIPMAN OF THE ESSEX. 13 

this episode was that the other midshipmen ceased teas- 
ing- " the youngster," and Captain Porter remarked to 
Lieutenant Dovvnes at breakfast that young Farragut 
was " three pounds of uniform and seventy pounds of 

fight? 



CHAPTER III. 

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION. 

It was Christmas eve, four months after our little 
reefer had joined his ship. There was no vessel 
that was smarter or better manned in the navy at 
that time. During those four months Captain Porter 
had accomplished wonders, and David Farragut, Mid- 
shipman, had fallen easily into the duties that were 
expected of him. 

The Essex was particularly happy in having a mutual 
feeling of confidence and respect among the officers. 
The midshipmen liked them, the sailors liked them, and 
that meant happy days. From Lieutenant Downes, 
the first officer, to Purser Shaw, they were men kind 
and considerate of others, and anxious to attract and 
hold the admiration of those under their orders. 

So efficient had the crew become that they had been 
divided into three watches instead of four. Few com- 
plaints were heard in the forecastle. Everything was 
reduced to such a system, and the work so evenly 
divided, that, wonderful to relate, grumblers were 
scarce. There was plenty to do and time to do it 



PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION. 15 

in. It was a maxim of the commander that " steady 
work means steady comfort." 

But to return to the Christmas eve. It was very 
cold, and the day had been what sailors call " a 
weather breeder." As the Essex was trying to make 
Newport harbor early in the evening, the slight wind 
suddenly died away, and she was forced to come to 
anchor off the bluffs. 

The thermometer kept falling lower and lower, and, 
unfortunately, the barometer also. But the midshipmen 
were endeavoring to have a little jollification in the 
steerage, and it was so cold that they had obtained 
permission to have some " hot shot " brought in. 
This was not a nickname for anything good to eat, 
as might have been supposed. It was a species of 
portable stove, being nothing more or less than two 
or three solid cannon balls heated red hot in the 
galley fire and carried about in buckets filled with 
sand. But even this failed to make the steerage 
warm, and the game of blindman's buff was given up 
at last for double blankets in the hammocks. 

At about four o'clock in the morning David and all 
the watch below were awakened by feeling that the 
Essex had begun to jump and toss spasmodically; 
then the boatswain's pipe shrilled down the hatchway, 
and the hoarse bawl of his mates rang through the 
" "tween-decks." 

" All hands on deck ! Tumble up lively, there ! " was 
the call that stirred the midshipmen out of their warm 



i6 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

nests. Few had undressed at all, and it only remained 
for them to jump into their boots and draw on their 
great coats and they were ready. 

When they made their way to the spar deck they 
found themselves in the midst of an exciting scene. 
The great yards were straining and swaying, and 
straight across the deck and through ,the rigging 
howled the sleet and snow. It banked up against the 
guns ; it weighted every rope and stay, and forward on 
the top-gallant forecastle a small army of men were 
bending on a new hawser to a great black anchor 
ready to let it go at the command. An officer with a 
trumpet shouted some orders from the quarter-deck. 
The wind blew the words away, and a boatswain's 
mate, standing near, came up with his hand making 
a hollow back of his ear. He caught the order, and, 
sliding and scrambling, carried it to the officers on 
the forecastle. There was a sudden blow of an axe, 
and a plash as the great anchor dropped into the sea. 
Then the men sought shelter behind the bulwarks, 
and some, dripping and half frozen, plunged down 
the hatchway. 

Looking out across the stern, the midshipmen saw a 
wonderful sight. They could just make out the dark 
shape of the bluffs and the spray playing up in the 
air like a row of fountains. Suddenly a voice ex- 
claimed close to them : 

"You are right, Mr. Wilmer; we are drifting, sir." 

It was Captain Porter speaking. " Call all hands 



PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION. 17 

again, sir ! Let go the other anchor and be quick about 
it," he added. 

Now all was excitement once more, and there was no 
rest that night. The Essex still dragged nearer to the 
shore where the waves broke and leaped high against 
the points of the great sharp rocks. At three o'clock 
a fourth anchor was let go, but she dragged the whole 
of them. Nearer and nearer she drifted toward the 
line of heavy surf. Suddenly there came a shock 
that sent a tremor through her stout timbers and 
through the heart of every man on the slippery, 
sleet-covered deck. The ship had grounded ! David, 
who had crept under the break of the poop deck, 
gave a gasp ; he knew something had happened that 
meant great danger. 

There were two men standing by the wheel. One of 
them was an old boatswain's mate, William Kingsbury, 
a type of what was best in a seaman. The midship- 
men looked upon him as knowing everything that 
could be known by any one who followed ships. 
Marvelous tales could he spin and marvelous knots 
could he tie. When he shook his head they shook 
their heads also, for they knew that was the proper 
thing to do. He was a story book and a barometer, 
a prophet and a hero. 

David had been joined in his place of shelter by 
Midshipman Jack Cowan, who swung next to him. 
It only needed a glance at old Kingsbury's face for 
the boys to determine that things were serious. 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



" Mark me, messmate," said old Kingsbury, bellow- 
ing in his companion's ear, " our to'gallant masts will 
go, if this keeps on, I tell you ; mark my word ! " 

No sooner had he spoken than a sharp snapping 
report rang out above the roaring of the wind in the 
rigging- Down came the main top-gallant mast, swing- 
ing dangerously close to the deck. Then a sudden 
gust, harder than the rest, caught it, and it swung 
clear of the side and tangled happily in the starboard 
shrouds. Another snap and the mizzen top-gallant 
mast went over the side. 

It was blowing so hard by this time that it was im- 
possible to keep the deck. The men crawled along 
under the lee of the bulwarks, and from their position 
of security the two boys saw there was only one liv- 
ing figure now in sight — an officer holding fast to the 
hammock nettings on the quarter-deck. It was Cap- 
tain Porter. 

It had been impossible to house the masts, as every- 
thing was frozen stiff. There was only one thing more 
left to do, and soon preparations were made to carry 
the last hope out. Standing in the galley were a 
score of men with axes, ready at a word to rush out 
on the deck and hack away the stays and let the 
great masts go overboard. 

But just at this critical moment the wind changed a 
few points, and old Kingsbury's face relaxed. 

" We're safe," he said. " It's blown its worst and 
hardest." 



PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION. 19 

Now almost as quickly as it had arisen the storm 
died down, and the exhausted crew sought sleep and 
rest. But it was broad daylight, and so cold had it 
been that it was found that one of the powder mon- 
keys — a black boy — had frozen in his hammock. 

By good handling the Essex was worked off the 
bank, and on the afternoon of Christmas day she 
anchored in the inner harbor. 

Again was David sent to school — this time to a Mr. 
Adams in Newport, but he had for his companions all 
the midshipmen of the Essex and of two other vessels 
which were then in port. There was little time for 
skylarking ; it was mostly work, work and study, 
study from morning until nightfall. For five long 
months the boys saw no more of shipboard life. 
Then it came to be rumored that they would soon 
be ordered to sea again, and the prospect of a change 
was hailed with joy by all. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE CLOUD OF WAR. 

Late in the month of June a small squadron of 
American vessels of war lay at anchor in the harbor 
of New York — the President, a forty-four-gun frig- 
ate ; the Essex, thirty-two guns ; and the Hornet of 
eighteen. 

Midshipman Farragut had once more joined his ship, 
and on this fine June day he was looking out through 
the gangway at the busy shipping and watching the 
shore boats shuttling back and forth. The air was 
filled with the creaking of block and tackle. 

David had made great friends with Kingsbury, the 
boatswain's mate. He was off duty, and he noticed 
that the old sailor was also taking things easy, so he 
made his way up on the forecastle. 

There is no reason why a boatswain's mate may not 
be allowed to tell stories to midshipmen, and many a 
long tale had David and his friends, Midshipmen 
Dashiell and Cowan, listened to in the night watches. 

As soon as the boy was within earshot the old sailor 
began to talk. It was only a week or so since the 
news had reached New York of the declaration of 

20 





The boatswain's mate discourses upon the war. 



THE CLOUD OF WAR. 21 

war against England. It was the uppermost thing in 
everybody's mind, and of course was the only sub- 
ject of discussion on shipboard. 

" This 'ere war," began old Bill as a matter of 
course, " is a war of shootin' and sailin'. There ain't 
a-goin' to be no big fleets tyin' up to one another, 
and boardin' and grapplin'. It's going to be cut and 
run, and fire fast, I tell you, Mr. Farragut. Ain't 
they beauties, them two vessels ! " 

He swept his hand out toward the President off the 
port bow and then to the little Hornet, swinging a 
quarter of a mile or so astern. 

David turned around and looked back on the deck 
of his own ship. Although it was in somewhat of 
confusion owing to the great hurry and bustle in- 
cident to getting in commission for a long cruise, 
any one with half an eye could see that the Essex 
was commanded by a sailor, that her crew were 
sailors, and that her officers were able. There was 
little of bawling or shouting of orders ; every man 
seemed to do his duty and to know his place. All 
the loose running gear was flemished down and lay 
in neat flat coils on the deck as if ready for Sunday 
inspection. 

" It's my idee that we can teach them Johnny Bulls 
something about ships, Mr. Farragut," said old Kings- 
bury, with an accent of pride. " And I tell you what, 
sir, there ain't a man on board but what would jump 
into the chain-hold head first for Captain Porter." 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



On the 21st of June the other vessels sailed out 
to sea, but the Essex remained a few days in port 
overhauling her rigging and restowing her hold. These 
were busy and tiresome times, and everybody on board 
longed for the hour when she would have put the 
headlands behind and have the blue sea beneath and 
behind her. 

For three successive days the declaration of war 
with Great Britain was read by Captain Porter to 
the crew assembled in the waist, and each time after 
the reading he inquired if there was any one on board 
who objected to fighting on the plea of being a British 
subject. 

On the last day there came a sensation. A man 
stepped forward and declared he was an Englishman. 
A murmur ran through the crew, and the midship- 
men will never forget the dramatic scene that fol- 
lowed. No sooner had the man made his declaration 
than another sailor stepped to the mast beside him. 

" This man lies ! " he said. " I know him well. We 
were brought up together, man and boy, at Barnstable." 

The murmur grew louder. 

" Step back among the crew," said Captain Porter 
to both men. 

The man who had claimed to be an Englishman 
paled. He hesitated about obeying the order, for three 
or four of the foremast hands stepped forward to meet 
him. It was with difficulty that they could be re- 
strained. 



THE CLOUD OF WAR. 23 

However, Captain Porter allowed them to wreak a 
little vengeance, for just before the vessel sailed the 
man was put ashore, as he had requested to be. He 
was, however, dressed in a unique costume for that 
season of the .year : it was composed of tar and 
feathers ! 

But at last the Essex was out on the open sea, and the 
success which was to attend her during the next three 
years began almost at once. Several rich merchantmen 
were taken and sent in under prize crews. The crew 
drilled at the guns, and when the weather was fine 
a target would be towed out from the ship ; even 
firing by divisions was practiced. This was not very 
exciting, and, so far, none of the midshipmen had seen 
a shot fired in real earnest. 

David's station on shipboard in case of action was 
close to Captain Porter. The admiration that a boy 
feels for a fine, courageous man, animated him so 
that he felt sure that, no matter what happened, he 
could be brave so long as he was near his adopted 
father. 

One very foggy day about nine o'clock in the morn- 
ing Midshipman Richard Dashiell, Midshipman Henry 
W. Ogden, and young Farragut were standing together 
on the quarter-deck. There was quite a breeze blow- 
ing for such thick weather, and the Essex was plow- 
ing along through the slow rolling sea when suddenly 
David Farragut raised his hand. 

" Hush ! " he said. " Don't you hear a noise ? " 



24 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

" I don't hear anything but the noise up aloft," re- 
turned Dashiell, listening. 

" No, it's out tbere," said David, pointing with his 
finger out across the water to windward. 

All the midshipmen strained their ears to listen. 
Yes, sure enough, they heard it now ! And they 
knew well what it was : the creaking of the yards 
of some other vessel sailing in the fog close to them. 
In an instant David stepped across to Lieutenant 
McKnight, who was officer of the deck. 

" There's a ship off there, I think, sir," he said, sa- 
luting. 

Lieutenant McKnight stopped his measured pacing 
and listened attentively. 

" Go forward, Mr. Farragut, and get down on the 
bobstay, close to the water, sir," he said, " and see 
what you can see. The fog may hang high." 

Any order that was given in a loud voice would 
certainly be heard by the vessel off to windward, and 
it was only the mere fact of her being in that position 
that had, so far, prevented the noise of the sailing of 
the Essex being heard by her. 

David scrambled over the bowsprit and nettings 
and slid down the " dolphin striker " almost to the 
water. The fog was a few feet higher than the sur- 
face, and, bending down, he could dimly make out 
some distance off a great black shape ; but he did 
not hurry back until he made a more careful survey. 
The white wall of mist lifted an instant and then he 



THE CLOUD OF WAR. 25 

saw it plainly. He could see a great line of ports, 
and catch a gleam of the copper as the hollow of a 
wave swept by her side. It was a great ship of 
war carrying a double tier of guns. He counted 
them carefully. 

Crawling up once more on deck, he made his way 
aft and reported what it was he had seen. Lieutenant 
McKnight looked at the boy with admiration. It was 
not usual for a youngster to stop to made such careful 
observations. 

" Go below, sir, and tell Captain Porter," he said, 
calling at the same time to one or two other officers 
who, although off duty, were on deck. 

" I judge it is the Antelope — fifty guns," said Cap- 
tain Porter. " She is on this station, I hear, off the 
Newfoundland banks, and probably looking for us." 

Without an order being shouted, the Essex was 
thrown up into the wind, her main topsail backed 
against the mast, and she was hove to silently. 

The Antelope (for it was afterward proved Captain 
Porter was right) swept on through the fog. 

Only four or five persons on board the Essex knew 
how close they had been to the enemy. The reason 
that Captain Porter had not taken advantage of the 
surprise was the difficulty of assuring himself of the 
character of the other ship, and the knowledge that 
English vessels generally sailed in companies of two 
or three. It was seldom the case that a single ship 
made an independent cruise. 



CHAPTER V. 

A CAPTURE. 

Three days after the foggy morning another ad- 
venture took place that was somewhat more exciting. 

It was just past midnight. The moon was up full 
and round and the horizon line could be seen almost 
as plainly as if it were daylight. The Essex was 
carrying a good strong breeze abeam, making five or 
six knots an hour. The harsh outlines of the shrouds 
and the backstays looked like great spiders' webs, 
and it would strike the imagination that this huge 
vessel would blow away at a stronger puff of the 
wind. 

David had turned in but was yet awake. One of 
the midshipmen who had just come off watch was 
sleepily stowing something in his sea chest when a 
quartermaster entered the steerage. 

" Call to quarters, young gentlemen," he said. 

The rousing out of two hundred men makes con- 
siderable confusion. The pattering of bare feet and 
the mumbling of conversation was coming from the 
berth deck. What could it mean? Only a drill, most 
probably. 

26 



A CAPTURE. 27 



When David had gone below he had been thinking 
that it hardly seemed possible that such a peaceful- 
looking spectral thing as the Essex appeared to be 
could ever be turned into a flaming, death-dealing 
war ship. But as he hurried up and took his station 
on the quarter-deck, it was a strange sight he saw. 

So plain did the moon's rays make everything that 
lights were not needed, and only below were the battle 
lanterns, shaded by tarpaulin covers, ready for use. 
The men could be seen standing at the guns. Now 
and then one would bend down and peer out of the 
open port. Up aloft the topmen were shaking out the 
royals. 

There was not a sound except the booming of the 
wind in the lower courses. It might have been a 
crew of ghosts on a ghost ship. 

Often at night had the men been called to general 
quarters before this. It was the commander's inten- 
tion to make every man perfect in his line of duty, 
and the sailor or marine who did not know his posi- 
tion in any given emergency was made to suffer, for 
it was not for lack of practice. 

But somehow these preparations on this moonlight 
night did not appear to be like the usual drill. David 
and the other midshipmen, who would grumble some- 
what at being turned out of their warm hammocks, 
had at first suspected that it was one of Captain 
Porter's surprise parties, but seeing one of the offi- 
cers looking through his night glass over the rail, 



23 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

David clutched the hammock nettings and managed 
to lift himself until he could obtain a view over the 
side. 

Clear in the moonlight to leeward, sailing straight 
through the shining silvery path that the moon traced 
across the water, was a fleet of vessels. All sail was 
set, and they rose and fell at intervals in a long line. 
Now and then a light flashed. 

The Essex, under the impetus of the new canvas 
that stretched up high against the little fleecy clouds, 
was coming down upon the strangers. The water 
was roaring under her forefoot and feathering off 
into two great lines of white. 

It was all so weird and so beautiful that David 
could scarcely imagine that it was not a dream. No 
one had spoken to him. Every one had seemed to be 
impressed with the same sense of unreality, when 
suddenly he heard the end of a conversation that 
Captain Porter had been having with his first lieu- 
tenant. 

" They are English, Mr. Downes. There's no mis- 
taking that." 

" I think the leading vessel is a man-of-war, sir, 
from the set of her canvas and the way she steps it," 
returned the lieutenant. 

But now it was evident that the approach of the 
Essex had been noticed. A light wavered and two 
lanterns crawled up to the yardarm of the leading 
vessel. There appeared to be some confusion in the fleet. 



A CAPTURE. 29 



A small brig well astern broke out into a cloud of 
new canvas. 

" She looks like a little chicken strayed from the old 
hen," said Midshipman Cowan to David. 

But there was no mistaking- what Captain Porter's 
intentions were. The ship's boys were bringing up 
from the magazine the packages of powder. The 
men were trotting silently to the guns with the 
wooden trays carrying round shot. The matches were 
lit and smoking and the guns were loaded and primed 
carefully. 

The only loud order was given by a marine officer, 
who tramped his little company of sailor-soldiers off 
to the quarter-deck to take their positions along the 
taffrail. 

A small boat gun had been mounted in the maintop. 
David was watching them make it secure on the 
gratings when Captain Porter turned and spoke to 
him. 

" You have sharp eyes, Mr. Farragut." (How 
strange it seemed to David to be addressed as " Mr." 
Farragut !) " Climb up aloft and see if you can pick 
out what vessels carry guns. I think the foremost 
is a frigate." 

David hastened up into the rigging. How huge 
the top seemed ! It was like a great broad floor. 
There were twenty men there, some armed with 
muskets and others employed in securing the swivel. 
He did not pause, however, but crawled up higher 



30 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

and higher until he reached the crosstrees. The 
mast swayed gently, and down below, the ship looked 
so long and narrow that it appeared to him that his 
weight would almost keel her over. The sails bulged 
out in smooth white sltapes. He almost forgot what 
it was that he had come to look for, but now he 
could see the fleet more plainly. 

There were nine vessels. The largest had come up 
into the wind and was evidently waiting for the rest 
to gather closer. It was the sheep dog waiting to 
protect the sheep ; but if such was her intention she 
had not been taught aright. The Essex was making 
straight for her when she turned on her heel and 
crept in among the flock. This action was so un- 
expected that the officers on the Essex's deck were 
puzzled. 

David had scrambled down from his lookout. 

"A frigate and two armed brigs, sir," he said. 

" The rest are transports, I take it," put in Lieu- 
tenant Downes. " We will pass the time of day before 
we leave them." 

A half hour went by. So close now had the Essex 
come that she was almost within hail of a large bark 
near by on the larboard hand. Marvelous to relate, the 
Yankee vessel passed under the stern but to windward 
of the large frigate without a shot being fired or a 
question asked. Sailing close to the wind, she shaped 
her course and crossed athwart the bows of the bark. 

The little brig, scudding along with her wings in 



A CAPTURE. 3 r 



the water, had managed to creep up with the rest. 
There was evidently confusion on board the stranger 
vessel that was left behind and whose escape was 
now cut off. 

But the Essex did not fire a gun, and she had ap- 
proached to such near distance that it was hardly 
necessary to use the trumpet for hailing. 

The order to the English captain to back his top- 
sail was instantly obeyed, as was also the command to 
lower his flag and surrender. 

Without a shot the Essex dropped her boats and 
took possession, while the fleet to leeward became spec- 
tators. The prize proved to be an English transport 
having on board over one hundred and fifty officers 
and men destined for the army in Canada. 

The English gentlemen were much chagrined. They 
were invited into the cabin, and loudly expressed their 
wonder at the actions of the convoy and the guard 
ships. The latter were now three or four miles off 
and going down the wind as fast as they could 
leg it. 

From the officers it was learned that the frigate 
was the Minerva, carrying the same number of guns 
as the Essex and with a crew and armament com- 
plete. 



CHAPTER VI. 

A YANKEE TRICK. 

The next morning the unusual spectacle was present- 
ed of a single vessel tagging along at the heels of 
the English fleet. Porter had shaken out his flag, hop- 
ing to entice the Minerva to come out and meet him. 

The English officers who were his guests were loud 
in their denunciations of the conduct of the Minerva's 
commanding officer. They expressed their intentions 
of reporting him to the Admiralty in England, and 
the crew of the Essex held an impromptu meeting in 
the forecastle and sent two of their members aft with 
rather an alarming request. Old William Kingsbury 
was the spokesman. David could never forget how 
the old sailor looked as he stood twirling his cap in 
his hands and speaking earnestly to Captain Porter, 
who could scarcely restrain his merriment. 

What the crew wanted, was in short, to have the 
Essex sail down and attack the whole convoy ! In 
this madness, of course, Captain Porter did not agree, 
but nevertheless it was evident that he felt pleased 
at the spirit of the crew. 

There were so many prisoners now on board the 

32 



A YANKEE TRICK. 33 

Essex that the crew would soon be reduced to half 
rations ; and so, relieving the Englishmen of their 
arms and placing them on parole, Captain Porter 
prepared to send them on their way in the captured 
merchant vessel. 

Four or five days after the unsuccessful attempt to 
lure the English frigate into an engagement the Essex 
had her first chance to do some fighting, if such it 
could be called. 

A sail was discovered to windward, and from her 
general outline she was thought to be a British sloop 
of war. The Essex was sailing under reefed topsails. 
As soon as it was placed beyond doubt in the minds 
of the officers that the stranger was one of the enemy, 
Captain Porter determined to entice her within gun- 
shot. He dropped two long drags (made of spars and 
sailcloth) astern, displayed the English flag, and, send- 
ing men aloft, mastheaded the yards and apparently 
made every effort as if to escape. 

The ruse was successful and the sloop of war bore 
down upon the Essex. The huge joke soon spread 
through the ship. The ports were not opened, and 
the tompions were in the mouths of the guns ; yet 
every man was at his post waiting for the word. 

" David," said Midshipman Ogden, " isn't this the 
funniest thing you ever saw ? " 

The boys had made their way up the rigging and 
they watched the sloop come down closer and closer, 
and they could see that she was prepared for ac- 



34 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

tion, as her ports were dropped and her men at 
quarters. 

It reminded David somehow of the way the hunt- 
ers used to call ducks in Louisiana. She was coming- 
to the decoy. 

" Now, there will be some surprised people on 
board that ship," said Midshipman Ogden. 

" Did you ever see such a broad grin in your life 
as Kingsbury has on his face?" remarked David, nudg- 
ing his companion. 

The boatswain's mate was passing just below them. 
As he went about the corner of the galley he met 
the colored cook, who was nicknamed " Phoebe " by 
the crew. He was a short, fat darky with a round 
bullet-head with little or no wool on the top. Kings- 
bury behaved just as a big boy might in an excess 
of good spirits. He caught the little negro in his 
arms and, lifting him, gave him first a squeeze and 
then lowered him softly to the deck. Then catching 
hold of one of his legs, he gave him a twirl like a 
top. Several of the crew had seen it and a titter 
broke out along the side. 

It did not look like going into action. But excite- 
ment affects bodies of men often as if they were one 
person, and fun or merriment is as contagious as fear 
or courage sometimes. 

"They have not taken the stoppers out of the 
guns," said David. 

" Tompions you mean, youngster," corrected Ogden. 



A YANKEE TRICK. 35 

" I should have known better," David said to him- 
self, " but then they are stoppers after all." 

" Are the guns loaded ? " asked another midship- 
man who met the boys as they descended to the 
deck. 

" Captain Porter's guns are always loaded, young 
gentleman," said the third lieutenant, with a smile. 
" You'd better jump to your stations." 

The sloop's lower sails could now be seen over the 
bulwarks of the Essex. She came down, with the 
water roaring and tumbling in front of her, and 
crossed close under the Yankee's stern, firing a gun, 
at which the frigate hove to. 

" Now we've got you, my son," observed William 
Kingsbury, slapping his thigh as the sloop of war 
ranged up on the lee quarter. 

No sooner had he spoken than the English flag at 
the Essex's peak came down to the deck and the 
Stars and Stripes went up instead. 

It was evident that the English commander had 
been puzzled, and now he must have received a shock ; 
but the answer to the American flag was a brave 
British cheer, and the smaller vessel immediately 
poured in a broadside of grape and canister. They 
struck harmlessly in the frigate's bulwarks. 

Answering her helm, the Essex swung off a point 
and fired a single broadside in answer — tompions and 
all ! It was like a big dog who, attacked by a smaller, 
gives him one shake and drops him, just for a lesson. 



36 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

The sloop of war now attempted to run, but, cutting 
loose the drags, the Essex forereached on her, hand 
over fist. 

A red-coated marine on the Englishman's quarter- 
deck fired his musket in the air and down came the 
cross of St. George. 

Perhaps it was unkind, but it was hard to restrain 
the American crew from making some rough jokes 
upon the others as they came on board, the general 
opinion being that it was " mighty kind to come and 
pay a visit, Johnnie Bull." 

The Essex was now more than ever crowded with 
prisoners — in fact, she had almost as many prisoners 
as there were people of her own on board. 

The good effect of the continuous drill was shown 
by a little incident that occurred two days after the 
capture of the English sloop of war, which had proved 
to be the Alert of eighteen guns. 

The fire drill had been practiced time and time 
a^ain. Often at the call of fire the men had been 
turned out at night, every man bringing his blanket 
and buckling on his cutlass. The pumps would be 
manned, and on one or two occasions Captain Porter 
had built a " smudge " down in the hold, and the 
crew had not known whether it was a real fire or 
not they had been called upon to assist in putting out. 
So frequently had this drill been held that the men 
reached their stations without the least confusion. 

It had been observed that the prisoners had been 



A YANKEE TRICK. 37 

holding communication with one another, and there 
had been much whispering among them during the 
second day after the capture. The berth deck and 
hold were filled with them. It was impossible to put 
them under gratings without much discomfort, and 
they had mingled with the Essex's crew or sat about 
in groups, fretting somewhat under the rough joking 
of their captors. 

At twelve o'clock at night, three days after the 
capture, David Farragut awoke in his hammock. He 
felt that some one was standing near him, and, without 
raising his head, slowly he opened his eyes. A tall, 
tow-headed man was bending over him ; a pistol was 
grasped in his right hand. 

David recognized the fellow as one of the prisoners, 
the cockswain of the captain's gig of the Alert. In- 
stantly the idea crossed his mind that the English 
were preparing for an uprising to take the vessel. 
But he knew that if he moved it would be the very 
worst thing he could do, so he pretended to be asleep, 
and after a close scrutiny the man passed on. 

No sooner had he left than David sprang to the 
deck ; without stopping to put on his uniform, he ran 
up the ladder, and, running past the man at the wheel, 
he plunged without knocking into Captain Porter's 
cabin. He awakened the latter quickly, and breath- 
lessly told him what he had seen. 

Captain Porter took in the situation in an in- 
stant. 

4 



38 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

" Run forward to the bell," he said, " and make 
the signal." 

At the same time he rushed out on the quarter- 
deck. 

" Fire, fire ! " he cried, in his loud, commanding 
voice. 

The ship's bell had commenced a loud, continuous 
clanging. The men tumbled up from below, reaching 
their stations as quickly as they could, pushing to 
one side the astonished prisoners, who were so dum- 
founded by the goings on that their calculations were 
upset completely. Instead of finding a half-sleeping 
crew and only the lookout and the watch to over- 
come, here, at various parts of the ship, were stand- 
ing armed men ready for duty ; and all this in the 
space of two minutes ! 

As soon as the bell stopped its clatter, the boarders 
were called to the hatchways and the discomfitted Eng- 
lishmen were crowded below into the hold. 

It was found that somehow they had broken into a 
chest of arms. Had it not been for this constant 
drill and the prompt action of the little midshipman, 
perhaps the Essex would never have sailed upon the 
cruise into distant seas, the events of which make up 
most of this history. 

When all the excitement was over, Captain Porter 
called David to him. He placed his hand on the 
boy's head. For an instant it seemed that he was 
going to put his arm about him. 



A YANKEE TRICK. 39 

"David," he said, "you are a good lad, and some 
day you will have a ship of your own ; and I trust," 
he added, " that you will have as brave and true 
people about you as I can count on here in the 
Essex." 

Making a cartel of the Alert and paroling all of 
the officers and most of the seamen, Captain Porter 
placed Lieutenant McKnight in charge of the cap- 
tured vessel, and she was sent to Halifax, for they 
were not many miles from the coast of Nova 
Scotia. 

One other interesting episode occurred before the 
Essex returned home to refit. 

Off the shore of Long Island, as she was making 
her way for New York Harbor, the lookout reported 
three sails in sight dead ahead — two smaller vessels 
apparently in pursuit of a larger one. Through the 
glass it could be made out that they were not 
merchantmen. The Essex overhauled them fast, but, 
becoming a little suspicious, Captain Porter took in 
his sail and kept his distance. 

All at once one of the vessels broke out into a 
sheet of flame. The other replied; and soon the three 
were shrouded in a white cloud of cannon smoke 
that drifted low across the water and hid all but 
the topmasts of the vessels that apparently were 
fighting furiously. 

" It's an action ! " said Midshipman Farragut, jumping 
up and down in his excitement. " Oh, why don't we 



4 o MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

crawl in? It may be an American vessel that is being 
attacked." 

Kingsbury, Joseph Hawley, and another boatswain's 
mate, were standing quite close by. All of the offi- 
cers were discussing the situation grouped together 
on the quarter-deck. 

" Action my eye ! " said the old seaman, half address- 
ing Hawley and half speaking to the midshipman. 
" They're trying to do to us what we did to the 
Alert. That's a Yankee trick. There ain't no real 
fighting going on." 

Owing to the Essex being to windward, the noise 
of the cannonade could not be heard, but apparently 
it was a great deal of powder they were burning. 
The officers had discovered some suspicious appear- 
ances also, and Captain Porter determined to put 
matters to a test. He displayed the American flag 
at the peak and fore, fired a gun, and, instead of 
running down, stood off and away with all sails set. 
Instantly the surmising and doubts were set at rest. 
The bogus battle stopped at once. 

The three vessels came about on the wind and set 
sail in chase of the Essex. There were two frigates 
and a brig. There was no fear of being overtaken 
in Captain Porter's mind, for his vessel could show 
a clean pair of heels to anything that floated, the 
Constitution, perhaps, being the only ship that could 
sail even with her. 

One of the approaching Englishman (all doubts of 




The young midshipman discovers a man-o'-war. 



(See page 24.) 



A YANKEE TRICK. 41 

their nationality were set at rest) outsailed the 
others, and, as it was growing dark and the weather 
was very thick, Captain Porter determined upon a 
bold line of action. 

" I tell you what," said Midshipman Cowan, as he 
was taking off his wet clothes, for it was raining 
hard and he had just come off watch, " there is 
something going on. You will see if old Logan 
(this was Captain Porter's nickname) hasn't got some- 
thing up his sleeve ; we are shortening sail." 

" Then that headmost frigate must be close to us," 
said Midshipman Conover, who was the smallest of 
the lads next to David. 

" Here comes Mary. Let's see what she says," put 
in Middy Odenheimer, who was bending over his sea 
chest. 

A boy with light-brown hair came down the ladder. 
It was Midshipman Tittermary. 

" Say, you fellows," he remarked, " all hands will 
be called in a little while. I think we are going to 
have another joke." 

In truth warfare had seemed a great deal of a 
joke to the crew of the Essex so far, for they had 
not lost a man. 

No sooner had he spoken than the call for all hands 
sounded. 

" The Captain is going to make a speech," said 
Midshipman Cowan. 

They found the crew gathered in the waist. Cap- 



42 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

tain Porter was standing near the wheel. It was 
raining, but no one seemed to mind it. There was 
dead silence. 

" Men," the Captain said, " I think we can take this 
frigate that is close upon our heels if we work to- 
gether. My intention is to put about and make 
straight for her. The other vessels may run past us 
in the dark. I don't wish to have a light on board 
this ship. Every man will be provided with a white 
badge on his cap and his left arm, so we can tell 
each other in the dark. Are you ready for it ? " 

The cheer that followed must have made Captain 
Porter's heart beat high. 

Instantly the badges, which had been made in the 
wardroom, were distributed, and the Essex tacked and 
stood in the direction of the oncoming Englishman. 
There was a fever of suppressed excitement. 

" Well, Kingsbury," said David, as he passed the 
old mate, " what do you think of this idea ? " 

Old William paused. " Mr. Farragut," he said in a 
low voice, " I tell you what, sir, that Britisher's 
coming at the rate of eight or ten knots. We are 
traveling- three or four. If we strike her we will 
be upon her before we know it. Mark my word, 
sir, it will strip us both. We will see them masts 
coming out like blades of grass, and there'll be a 
tall amount of slaughter. I don't like it, sir." 

He lowered his voice, but he never would have 
flinched ; nor would any one of the crew, even had 



A YANKEE TRICK. 43 

they seen the great shape of the other vessel loom 
forth in the darkness. 

The Acaster (this was the name of the English 
ship) must, however, have passed astern of the Essex, 
and in the morning the three sails were out of sight. 

Instead of sailing for the harbor of New York, 
Porter shaped his course for the Capes of the Dela- 
ware, and in ten days came to anchor off the town 
of New Castle. Not long did he lie idle. In a few 
days it was " Up anchor " and " Ho ! and away " for 
strange countries to the southward. The Essex was 
ordered to cruise off South America. 



CHAPTER VII. 

FROM SUN TO SNOW. 

Against the tall palms, entangled vines and foliage 
that grew in tropical abundance to the water's edge, 
arose the tall masts of a man-of-war. The surface of 
the bay was as calm and smooth as a mirror. From 
the neighboring forest strange cries called and echoed. 
Beautifully plumaged birds fluttered out of the high 
branches, and strange monkeys swung themselves to 
and fro in the tree tops. 

It was the Brazilian coast. The place was a little 
harbor known as St. Catherine's and the tall-masted 
frigate was the Essex. 

So calm was the surface that the reflection of the 
ship seemed to stretch away down beneath her, and 
so clear was the water that if you looked over the 
side you could see odd-looking fish and long, waving 
sea grass, or occasionally a huge white-vested shark 
with his evil-looking eyes glancing upward. Now and 
then a rakish-looking fin extended above the surface, 
and woe be it to any poor Jacky who tumbled over- 
board. 

A longboat was pulling out from a little cove. She 

44 



FROM SUN TO SNOW. 45 

was laden almost to the gunwales with piles of wood 
and filled water casks. The men at the oars swung 
slowly back and forth. A little midshipman, with a 
wide straw hat shading his eyes, was perched in the 
stern sheets. He was sunburned and browned and 
changed a little, but no one would have failed to 
recognize David Farragut. Despite the heat, he was 
sitting with his back straight and his head erect. 

" Way enough there ! " he called to the men. " Boat 
your oars." 

The heavily laden cutter came neatly to the frigate's 
side, and David climbed up the ladder and came on 
deck to report. 

The awnings were spread forward and aft, and 
there was a smell of tar and blistering paint. Walk- 
ing along the quarter deck, he approached an officer 
who was standing in the shade of a sagging wind 
sail. 

" Last boat alongside, Mr. Wilmer," he said, sa- 
luting. 

"Very good, sir," was the answer. "Hurry the 
people with the cargo, and get your boat in at the 
davits. We will probably try to get out with the 
evening breeze." 

The singing of the windlass hoisting the wood and 
the casks over the side quickened in its time. The 
last load is the lightest always, and in a few minutes 
more the cutter was hauled from the water against 
the great wooden davits. Then all hands rested, and 



46 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

soon the shadows of the trees crept farther and 
farther out from shore, and the cries of the birds 
and beasts seemed to redouble as the sun, glowing 
and red, sank down in the west. 

A long canoe paddled by five or six dark-skinned 
men came about a point of land and approached the 
Essex. A piratical-looking man with a long black 
mustache stood up. He answered the hail of the 
lookout in a jargon of Spanish and Portuguese. 

" Here, send for some one who can speak to this 
fellow," said Mr. Wilmer, who was officer of the deck. 

Middy Odenheimer could speak Spanish. He 
stepped to the gangway and listened attentively to 
what the man was saying. 

" He is one of those rascally pilots, Mr. Wilmer," 
he replied. " It may be that he is speaking the truth. 
He says that there is an English ship twice as big 
as ours only a few miles off the point." 

The Bay of St. Catherine's was a bad place to be 
caught in, but, luckily, darkness was coming on quite 
fast, and with it a breeze from land sprang up. It 
dimpled the waters, and caused the sighing of the 
great deep forest to be plainly heard as an under- 
current to the humming and chattering of its myriad 
forms of life. 

Soon another sound broke the stillness. It was a 
shanty song accompanied by the shrill piping of a fife. 
The men were running about the capstan, and the 
clicking and rattling of the cable as it poured through 



FROM SUN TO SNOW. 47 

the hawse pipes and down into the hold showed that 
Captain Porter was not going to linger in this un- 
certain position. 

In a few minutes more the Essex tripped her anchor 
and slowly gathered headway toward the sea. She 
passed the cape, squared away, and stood farther out, 
but nothing was seen of the line-of-battle ship which 
she was endeavoring to escape from. It was sup- 
posed, however, that the latter was the Montague, 
a seventy-four. 

It seemed that the Essex must have been launched 
under a lucky star. Already had she sent home three 
or four prizes of minor importance, and one that was 
very rich, being the British Government packet Nocton, 
in whose hold was discovered fifty-five thousand dollars 
in specie. 

When Captain Porter had left the Capes of the 
Delaware he sailed under orders to join Commodore 
Bainbridge's squadron, which was then in Brazilian 
waters. But if he failed to meet his superior at 
any one of the rendezvous appointed, he was to set 
sail on a cruise of his own at his own discretion. 

St. Catherine's was the last place where he hoped 
he might fall in with the Constitution (Bainbridge's 
flagship), and so now he was free to go where he 
pleased. 

There is no time to tell of the fun and frolic held 
on board the Essex when she had crossed the equator ; 
crossing the line has been told very many times ; but 



4 8 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

the midshipmen enjoyed it all, and the antics of old 
Kingsbury as Neptune, and Phcebe, the old darky, as 
his buxom wife, were long to be remembered. 

Captain Porter was now shaping his course for that 
test of the seamanship in the old sailing days — round- 
ing the Horn. 

The weather grew colder as they sailed down the 
coast of Patagonia. The light clothing which David 
and the rest of the lads had been wearing in Brazil 
had been changed for greatcoats and double trousers. 

Now for a while the good luck of the Essex seemed 
to have deserted her. For twenty-one tiresome days 
she beat to and fro, encountering adverse winds and 
currents, heaving-to often at night, to find herself 
miles and miles back of where she was in the morn- 
ing. But there was no immediate danger — nothing 
but discomfort — until one day, the 3d of March, 1813. 

David was on the forecastle superintending getting 
in the foresail (it had been ripped in a blow the 
night before) ; the sea was running high, when sud- 
denly he saw, a mile away, a great wall of water 
topped with white, rearing against the whole horizon 
line. The ship was yawing to and fro, as she was 
in a cross-current, and was carrying little sail. At once 
David saw the danger. 

" Hard aport ! " he shouted, running aft as tight as 
he could foot it. 

The men at the wheel could see nothing, but the 
spokes flew around and the Essex slowly answered. 



FROM SUN TO SNOW. 49 

They had seen in the face of the little midshipman 
something that had warned them to be quick ; but 
just as the Essex swung about, the current caught 
her and again she fell off to leeward. At the same 
moment, before a word of warning could be called, the 
great sea was upon them. It rose higher than the 
bowsprit, and with a rush and roar caught the frigate 
almost on her side and tumbled over the bulwarks 
in a great mass of green and white on to the deck. 

David grasped a rack and hung on tightly. The 
lee quarter boat went off the davits and smashed to 
pieces. The water poured in cataracts down the 
hatchways, and before he knew it the little midship- 
man was swept off his feet, half drowned, and bumped 
down the ladder to the gun deck below. There he 
saw a curious sight. The row of ports from the 
bow to the quarter were stove in to a great gaping 
wound. The guns were slued this way and that, 
but most fearful of all was the terror and confusion 
that for an instant reigned among the crew. Many 
seamen, brave men and tried, were on their knees, 
making what they thought to be their last prayer. 
But the wind had caught the Essex so she heeled over 
the other way, and the water was pouring out through 
the farther ports. 

Suddenly above the confusion a voice sounded like 
the roar of a lion. It hardly seemed that a human 
throat could make such sounds. 

" Avast there ! Put your best foot forward, my 



50 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

hearties! There's one side of her left yet!" were the 
words. 

Old William Kingsbury had come to the front in 
proper fashion. The effect was wonderful. The men 
jumped to their feet. Four or five officers came run- 
ning down from above, and like bees the crew went to 
work. 

A sail was lowered over the bows and by great ex- 
ertion the water that had been pouring in was kept out- 
side, where it belonged, and in half an hour it was easier 
to breathe. 

The next day, as if to make up for the blow they 
had delivered, the elements were kinder. The wind 
changed, the sea went down, and the Essex, after three 
weeks' buffeting about, and almost despair to all on 
board, passed the dangerous point and swept on into 
the waters of the Pacific. 

The crew were called on deck (it is said that Cap- 
tain Porter always knew the right time to make a 
speech), and there they were thanked in a few heart- 
felt words, and those that had been foremost in their 
duty the day before were promoted on the spot. Un- 
fortunately, there was no post left for William Kings- 
bury, but the Captain took his hand before all the 
crew, and the old sailor fairly blushed. 

The wind that sprung up held good and ran the 
Essex up to the island of Mocha, near the coast of 
Chili, and here she came to anchor. Provisions had 
run scarce, and the men were on half rations. The 



FROM SUN TO SNOW. 51 

island abounded with wild horses and hogs. The meat 
of the former was very much better than the pork, 
which was fishy and unpalatable. 

On the first day David had landed with Lieutenant 
McKnight and gone with a shooting party on the 
island. 

It is strange sport stalking horses, but different con- 
ditions suggest different ideas, and the thought that 
these were the same patient friends of man did not 
enter his head. They were wild as deer, and after 
hard tack and salt meat their flesh seemed tender 
and juicy. 

Unfortunately, a lieutenant of the Essex, in firing at 
a wounded horse, shot and mortally wounded a sea- 
man named Spafford. The man's words when they 
picked him up were typical of the spirit which ani- 
mated the crew. The poor lieutenant was crazed 
with grief, but the seaman only said, " Please carry 
me on board that I may die under my country's flag." 

It is often the words of the lowest that express the 
very highest sentiments and animate others to fine 
deeds and actions. 

The crew had a good run on shore, and then the 
Essex set sail for Valparaiso. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

IN THE PACIFIC. 

After leaving the harbor of Valparaiso the Essex 
sailed up the Chilian coast. It had happened that the 
commander of a Chilian coast-guard vessel had taken 
it into his hands to interfere with American commerce 
and had captured two or three American whalers. 

This news was given to Captain Porter by a vessel 
that he met shortly after he left his last harbor, and it 
was the good fortune of the Essex to run across this 
corsair and to punish the commander in a way which 
taught him a lesson. 

The Nereyda was a fifteen-gun sloop of war. She at 
first took the Essex for a merchantman, and, discovering 
her mistake too late, 'started to get away. The Yankee 
frigate quickly overhauled her and, without firing a 
gun, took possession. Throwing overboard all of her 
guns and ammunition, and leaving the captain only his 
lower masts to regain the port with, Captain Porter 
turned him loose. 

On board the Nereyda were found the crews of 
two or three of the vessels she had captured. Learn- 
ing that the last prize taken had only shortly before 

52 



IN THE PACIFIC. 53 

started to the southward, the Essex set sail and over- 
hauled a large whaling ship, the Alexander Barclay, 
and recaptured her, as she was under a prize crew. 

Inside of three or four weeks the Essex was accom- 
panied by a small fleet of prizes, made up of the whaler 
before mentioned and three large British ships — the 
Georgiana, the Montezuma, and the Policy, which were 
captured by a boat expedition during a calm. 

The Georgiana was equipped as a cruiser and Lieu- 
tenant Downes was placed in command. He set out to 
the westward alone. The little squadron then made their 
way to Charles Island, one of the Galapagos group, to 
examine " the whalers' post office," a letter box nailed 
to a tree, in which visiting vessels left news of their 
whereabouts. 

Here followed a month that for a long time David 
Farragut and all the midshipmen reckoned the happiest 
of their lives. They fished and caught seals and tor- 
toises and grew fat and hearty. The crew were in 
fine condition, and the weather everything that could 
be wished for. 

But at last, having filled up with wood and water 
and fresh provisions, the squadron set sail, the Essex 
capturing a large vessel named the Atlantic when 
only a few days out. 

They had been anchored but a short time in the 
bay of Guayaquil when the Georgiana returned from 
her cruise. She brought three more prizes with her — 

the Rose, the Catherine, and the Hector. The At- 

5 



54 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

lantic being the finest one of the captured vessels, 
the Georgiana's armament was shifted to her and she 
was rechristened the Essex, Jr. 

There were now nine vessels in the squadron. Offi- 
cers to command the prizes being scarce, the mid- 
shipmen were called upon, and, to his intense surprise, 
David Farragut had been sent for to go to Captain 
Porter's cabin. When he had left a few minutes later 
he could hardly believe that the orders he had heard 
were true. At the age of twelve years he had been 
appointed prize master of the Barclay, the vessel 
that had been recaptured from the Spanish "guarda 
costa." And now followed an interesting chapter in the 
midshipman's life. 

David had transferred his little sea chest to the Bar- 
clay. He occupied one half the cabin, while the former 
captain of the vessel, who still was kept on board, took up 
the other. 

It was very fortunate for the boy commander that the 
majority of the prize crew was composed of stanch sea- 
men who had sailed with him the previous year ; other- 
wise most disagreeable consequences might have fol- 
lowed. 

Joseph Hawley, the messmate of old William Kings- 
bury, had been sent on board as acting quartermaster. 
When the signal to set sail had been shown from the 
Essex, David was asleep down in the cabin. The ex-cap- 
tain of the Barclay, a cross old curmudgeon, refused to 
notice the midshipman's presence, and had sat up almost 



IN THE PACIFIC. 55 



ail the night smoking and grumbling on the quarter- 
deck. 

David was awakened by feeling some one touch him 
lightly on the shoulder. Looking up, he saw that it was 
Hawley. 

" Mr. Farragut, they're flying a signal to get under 
way, sir, but I fear there will be some trouble. Hadn't 
you better come on deck, sir?" 

David jumped into his clothes. As he ran up the 
companion ladder he saw the old captain standing at 
the top with his arms folded. He wished him a cheery 
good morning, and hastened to the rail. He was so 
short that he had to step up on a gun carriage to look 
over it. 

There were all the vessels, some under way and the 
others with their anchors up and down, and their sails 
shaking out from the yards. The Barclay was lying al- 
most a mile farther inshore than were the rest. There 
had evidently been no attempt to get up her anchor, and 
the men were standing talking in groups and casting fur- 
tive glances at the quarter-deck. What did it mean? 

The midshipman had received his orders the day be- 
fore, and knew that at the signal to sail he was to clear 
away in the wake of the Essex for the harbor of Valpa- 
raiso. He turned to the older man, who was a giant, 
standing almost six feet four inches, with tremendous 
shoulders and a shock of wiry gray hair. He looked 
down at the little midshipman approaching him. 

" Captain Randall," said David, trying to control his 



5 6 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



voice (although, to tell the truth, a great fear welled into 
his heart), " order all sail to be made and follow those ves- 
sels to the westward." 

The captain thrust his hands into his pockets. He 
gave a whistle and then an ugly, sneering laugh. 

" Listen to the little monkey," he said, " that presumes 
to give me orders!" 

" My orders are from Captain Porter," responded 
David. " We must set sail for Valparaiso." 

" More likely to New Zealand ! " responded Captain 
Randall. " This is my vessel, and I take her where I 
please." 

David wished that he were a man, but he knew that 
the moment had come when he should show the crew 
that he was an officer, no matter if he was but twelve 
years old. 

" I order you, sir," he said, his voice trembling, " to 
make sail on this vessel." 

Four or five of the men had stepped aft. They were 
within earshot; among them David noticed Hawley. 
He knew he could depend upon him. The captain had 
laughed again, and had said something in which David 
caught the words " long clothes." His anger had now 
overcome his fear entirely. Turning his back upon the 
captain, he looked at the group of seamen. 

" Get up the anchor and be lively ! " he shouted ; and 
he gave the rest of the orders for preparing to make sail. 

" Aye, aye, sir ! " said Hawley, touching his cap. " You 
command this vessel, Mr. Farragut." 



IN THE PACIFIC. 57 

There was a moment of hesitation, but three or four 
of the crew jumped at once to the capstan. Captain 
Randall did not issue any orders to the contrary, but he 
turned furiously and made for the head of the com- 
panion way. 

" I'll shoot the first man who dares to touch a rope," 
he muttered. " I'll get my pistols, you little monkey. 
We'll see who commands this vessel ! " He hurried down 
below. 

David called to the quartermaster. He knew there 
were four or five men that he could absolutely rely upon, 
and he knew that to keep his authority he must be firm. 

Hawley and another seaman came running - . The cap- 
stan was clicking merrily by this time and the Barclay 
was walking up to her anchor. 

" Mr. Hawley," said David, giving the quarter- 
master a handle to his name, " if that man comes up 
from below, I order you to heave him overboard." 

The transom to the cabin was open and David shouted 
down to Captain Randall. 

" You're under arrest, sir ! " he cried, " and ordered to 
keep your cabin. If you come on deck you do so at your 
peril." 

The crew had heard this speech. The admiration for 
the boy who had so suddenly become a man seemed to 
overcome all tendencies toward mutinous conduct. They 
scampered up the shrouds and took his piping orders and 
answered them as willingly as if they had been roared in 
old Kingsbury's lion voice. 



58 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

In half an hour the Barclay had laid her course in 
pursuit of the division of the fleet led by Lieutenant 
Downes in the Essex, Jr. 

Captain Randall did not reappear that day or the 
next. On the third the Barclay had crept up with the 
fleet and had got within hailing distance of the Essex, Jr. 
David spoke her at once and requested that he might be 
allowed to send a boat on board. It had fallen quite 
calm and the little fleet was drifting about hither and 
thither when David lowered away his gig. 

He and the captain had not met at mess since the 
affair of a few days previous, but now the latter came up 
on deck and requested somewhat sarcastically that he be 
allowed to be taken on board the flagship to speak to 
Lieutenant Downes. 

David allowed him to step into the gig, and the cap- 
tain, who for some reason was affecting great amusement, 
took his seat in the stern sheets beside him. 

As soon as they had boarded the Essex, Jr., David 
made his report. Captain Randall stood by, apparently 
much amused. 

" Why, Lieutenant Downes," he put in at last, " I was 
only trying to frighten the youngster ; I meant nothing 
serious." 

" You might tell Lieutenant Downes how well you 
succeeded, sir," spoke up David. 

" Hear him ! I like his spunk," answered Randall, 
who appeared to be a little nervous notwithstanding. 
" Come, we might as well be friends. You will need my 



IN THE PACIFIC. 59 



help. Let's return. It was all a joke. You'll need me 
to help you handle the old hooker. I know her tricks 
and manners." 

David ignored this latter speech and turned to Lieu- 
tenant Downes. 

" Am I prize master of the Barclay ? " he asked. 

" You are, sir," was the laconic response, " and as such 
you have command." 

" Very good, sir," answered David. " Captain Ran- 
dall, you may return with me, or not, as you see fit." 

The older man was flustered. 

" I think I had better go with you, Mr. Farragut," he 
answered. 

And the case being settled to David's satisfaction, the 
boat was called away and they returned to the Barclay. 

Strange to relate, Captain Randall, if he had at first 
intended the whole affair as a joke, kept it up most suc- 
cessfully, for he and the young commander dined to- 
gether that night in the cabin, and David sat at the head 
of the table. Until the Barclay arrived at Valparaiso, 
Randall took orders from his superior with as much 
gravity as if David, instead of standing four feet eight 
inches, was seven feet tall and broad in proportion. 

As for the crew, they had nicknamed him " The Little 
Commodore," and were as eager to please him as though 
he held in his power the gift of high promotion. 

Refitting at Valparaiso, they sailed again and joined 
the Essex at the island of Albemarle. 

Porter had taken three more prizes — the ships New 



6o MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

Zealand, Seringapatam, and the Sir Andrew Ham- 
mond. 

" The Little Commodore " removed his chest from the 
Barclay and once again became the humble midshipman 
who played blindman's buff in the steerage. Oden- 
heimer, Isaacs, Ogden, and Tittermary welcomed him 
back, and the first night of his return the boys whispered 
long in their hammocks. There was sad news : poor 
Cowan was ill in the sick bay. 



CHAPTER IX. 

A LUCKY SCRAPE. 

" I think it's a shame," said Midshipman Odenheimer, 
who was one of the largest and oldest of the boys, " that 
the old man keeps us cooped up here and doesn't allow 
us to go ashore and see some of the fun or fighting. I 
am tired of mathematics and study. I should think he 
ought to know by this time that you and 1 can be trusted, 
David." 

Midshipman Odenheimer had also served as an acting 
prize master, and felt a little bitter at being treated as an 
ordinary middy again. 

David did not reply. He was lying full length on the 
deck, with his head against the end of a gun carriage. 
Through the open port a cool breeze was blowing. 

It was late in the evening, and strange sounds were in 
the air — singing and chanting, weird and musical, and the 
rhythmic beating of time. This sound was made by the 
clapping of a hundred pairs of hands, and the song was 
one of the plaintive melodies sung by the natives of the 
island of Nukahiva, against whose shore, scarcely a bis- 
cuit-throw away from the deck of the Essex, Jr., the little 
waves were lapping softly. 

61 



62 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

But of course all this requires an explanation. The 
Essex had not remained long at the Galapagos. She 
had sailed away into the mystical and partly unknown 
archipelagoes of the mid-Pacific. Her present resting 
place was at this beautiful island, one of the Marquesas. 
Porter had named the bay Massachusetts Bay. For 
three weeks the fleet had been here at anchor and 
strange happenings had followed. 

The natives, a kindly people with light-brown skins 
and comely, well-proportioned bodies, had met the Amer- 
icans with open arms. The island tribes were divided 
into four or five different clans. The Tachas, the Hap- 
pahs, and the Shonemes were tribes that lived near the 
coast and that welcomed Porter's fleet with every dem- 
onstration of affection and hospitality. 

But these last tribes were at war with the Typees, a 
tribe of the inland, warlike and strong. Porter had 
formed an alliance with the seacoast natives, and at the 
time at which this chapter opens was waging a successful 
war in their behalf against the Typees. 

But the midshipmen, much to their disgust and annoy- 
ance, had not been allowed to take any part in these land 
ventures, and had been cooped up on board the Essex, Jr., 
closely kept at their studies. Occasionally, of course, 
they were allowed runs on shore, but the crews of the 
vessels and the prisoners were given almost complete 
liberty, and lived in a village of their own built in a 
beautiful forest of breadfruit trees and spreading shade 
palms. 



A LUCKY SCRAPE. 63 

But to go back to the two lads lolling on the deck of 
the Essex, Jr. 

The song which had been welling louder and louder 
suddenly ended, and a new chorus arose seemingly from 
all about the anchored fleet. The boys crawled to an 
open port and gazed out. It was a great sight. The 
calm waters of the bay were thronged with canoes drift- 
ing to and fro like pleasure boats on a pond. In the 
stern a native would be lazily paddling, while, lying about 
in comfortable positions, the others were singing in 
chorus the plaintive song that had answered the one 
from shore. It was the sailor's paradise ; " the fiddler's 
green " of his dreams, where all is music and dancing, 
tobacco, and easy times. Captain Porter was giving a 
vacation to the crew that had stood by him so nobly 
through the hardships of Cape Horn and the many dan- 
gerous expeditions into which he had ventured. 

" I wish we could get ashore," said Midshipman Oden- 
heimer. " I am sick of being cooped up here." 

" Listen ! " said David ; " there's one of our men sing- 
ing." 

A great fire was jumping up against the dark 
shadows of the trees, and the group of natives seated 
around it showed plainly. The white uniforms of the 
Yankee sailors mingled among them. The native music 
had stopped, but in a clear barytone a sea song now 
struck up. 

" It is Boatswain Bill," went on Midshipman Farragut. 
" He's singing ' The Isles of Cathay.' " 



64 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

" I can't stand this any longer," said Odenheimer. " I 
don't think there would be much done to us if we took 
French leave. Whist ! I have it. We are not on 
duty until to-morrow morning. Let's off with most 
of our duds and overboard and spend the night on 
shore." 

No boy is perfect ; the temptation was strong. 
Many times had the midshipmen done it before, but Far- 
ragut had resisted all inducements to join in the noctur- 
nal liberty parties. Odenheimer had kicked off his shoes. 

" Come along, David," he said. " No one will find us 
out. Come on." 

David shook his head. 

" Well, then, good-by, and here goes for it ! " 

Odenheimer leaned out of the port. A rope swung 
from the bulwarks overhead. He hooked it in with his 
feet and, grasping it, slid down to the water. It had 
grown so dark that David could just see his head and the 
motion of his arms as he struck out for the shore. Never 
was a boy so tempted before. It was two days now since 
he had set his feet on land. The chances were that they 
could swim back to the ship without detection ; but he 
hesitated. 

All at once he heard a bubbling cry. Odenheimer 
was not the best of swimmers. David remembered once 
how tired he had become when they were in bathing, 
and how he had almost foundered before they could get 
him into shallow water. He listened attentively. Again 
the bubbling sound ! To his ears it seemed a cry, half 



A LUCKY SCRAPE. 65 

inarticulate, for help. Perhaps Odenheimer had caught 
a cramp ; perhaps he was in danger ! 

The anchor watch, composed of one man only, who 
was walking up and down the forecastle, heard a plash 
alongside. He did not even turn to look. It was none 
of his business if the midshipmen desired to have some 
fun, and, as there was no reason for him to worry, he 
only paused and then resumed his beat. 

The plash was occasioned by Midshipman Farragut 
going head first out of the open port. When he came 
to the surface he looked at first in vain for Odenheimer. 
At last he saw something white gleaming a rod or so 
astern of the great shadow of the ship. Hand over hand 
he struck out for it. It was Odenheimer struggling 
faintly. David grasped him by the collar. • It was 
nearer to the shore than to the vessel, and he swam 
with all his strength until he felt the steeply shelving 
beach beneath his feet. His friend was coughing and 
spluttering badly, and with some difficulty waded out 
to the dry, warm sand. There was something that ex- 
cited David's suspicions and he felt his anger rising. 
Had it been a ruse of Odenheimer to get him to for- 
get his duty ? No sooner had the idea crossed his 
mind than he spoke quickly. 

"You're shamming!" he said, "and you did it to 
get me to come with you. You're bigger than I am, 
but, by sixty, if it is so, I'm going to punch your 
head ! " 

Odenheimer had been shamming, but he saw that the 



66 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

best way out of it was to make no answer. He coughed 
and spluttered harder than ever, and the suspicion faded 
from David's mind. 

" I beg your pardon for what I said," he whispered, 
and thumped his friend hard between the shoulders. 
The choking ceased and Odenheimer rolled over on 
his back. 

" Whew ! That was a narrow squeak," he said. " Do 
I owe my life to you ? " 

" Pshaw ! " said David, who now wished to make 
light of it, " it was nothing. Cheer up ; you're all 
right." 

The boys had landed near the collection of huts 
which were occupied by the prisoners that the Essex 
and her consort had taken from the vessels that lay at 
anchor under guard in the harbor. The men were not 
kept in close confinement. They were allowed to walk 
about at will within a certain proscribed place, the 
only difference between them and the Essex's crew 
being that the latter were armed and were distin- 
guished by having white badges with the ship's num- 
ber marked upon them. At the narrow causeway that 
led to the prisoners' village (their huts were on a little 
island) stood a marine with a musket. 

" We might as well make an evening of it," said 
Odenheimer. " Let's go down where we can see some 
of the fun." 

David's conscience was clear of any willfulness, and 
he could see no reason why he should not acquiesce. In 




^.\\J 



j-rHM 



A LUCKY SCRAPE. 67 



fact, a strange excitement made his heart beat quickly. 
Stolen sweets have a zest and a flavor that no one ap- 
preciates more than a boy of twelve. They knew they 
could gain the farther camp if they could slip by the 
sentry. So they stole along the beach, Odenheimer lead- 
ing, and dodged into the thicket of bushes. Suddenly 
the midshipman paused and raised his hand with a ges- 
ture of silence and attention. There was a murmur of 
voices coming from off the left and a light glimmered 
through the trees. Stepping anxiously, they worked 
their way in that direction. To their surprise they 
found they had stumbled across a meeting of the pris- 
oners and that something unusual was on foot. The men 
were gathered in a circle close together, and a lantern 
burning dimly swung from the low branch of a tree. A 
tall, light-haired Englishman was talking in a loud whis- 
per and pounding his right hand into the hollow of his 
left to emphasize his words. 

" It could be done," he said. " All that can swim 
take for the ship. The rest of us, disguised as natives, 
can go out in a canoe ; and once alongside, we can over- 
power them ; they're not many. Then up sail and away 
for a cruise on our own account. What say you, lads? 
Are you all with me ? Will it be to-night or to-mor- 
row ? " 

" To-night, before dawn," spoke up one of the group 
seated on the ground ; " no good of caution — dash wins 
the day." 

The boys listened with their hearts beating wildly. 



68 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

Perhaps it was some kindly fate that had guided them 
in their midnight escapade. 

" Back to the ship at once ! " whispered Odenheimer 
in David's ear. 

The boys groped their way through the bushes. 
Just as they reached the beach they heard behind them 
the sound of some one rushing through the underbrush 
in their direction. The noise of their retreat had prob- 
ably been heard. 

" Dive for it," said Odenheimer in a whisper. 

There came the sound of two sudden plunges, then all 
was silent. A big man emerged from the brush and 
stood listening to the sound from the waters. The boys 
swam as long as they could without coming to the sur- 
face, but at last both heads bobbed up to view. 

"Who is that out there? " shouted the man. It was 
the boatswain's mate of the captured Montezuma. 

The only reply was a laugh and a few unintelligible 
words, for on the spur of the moment David had re- 
called to mind a few native sentences he had learned. 

The tall figure had been joined by another. 

" I dare say you are mistaken, Jock," said the second 
comer. " It is only two young niggers out in the water." 

The boys struck out for the ship. They had not 
gone very far when Odenheimer turned. 

" There is some one swimming after us," he said. 
"Can't you hear him?" 

It was a fact. The man's suspicions had been excited 
and he thought he had detected an English accent in 



A- LUCKY SCRAPE. 69 

the strange jargon that had answered his first hail. The 
boys could hear the long measured strokes and the 
steady breathing of some one following them swiftly in 
the water — a strong swimmer evidently, for he gained 
upon them rapidly. 

" We will never make the ship before he catches us," 
whispered Odenheirner. " What shall we do ? " 

David turned ; he could see the face now plainly and 
the water rippling against the man's chin. At first he 
thought it might be one of the Kanakas, but now he 
perceived it was one of the English prisoners. His 
strong arms were kicking up a wake like that made by 
a pair of sweeps. 

" Heigh, there ! Who are you and what are you do- 
ing ? " panted the pursuer, who was now only a dozen or 
so feet away. 

Odenheirner turned this time and David caught the 
look on his face ; it was that of a cornered animal. 

" Let's at him, youngster," he said, and plashed to- 
ward the astonished Englishman. 

The man was taken by surprise. He half swung 
about just as Odenheirner twisted his strong young 
arms about his neck, uttering a shriek of desperate fear 
and anger. He had caught the man just right, for his 
back was turned to him, and every effort the English- 
man made to free himself but lifted his antagonist out of 
the water. How it would have terminated would have 
been hard to conjecture, but the rattle of oars and a sud- 
den hail came from the direction of the Essex, Jr. 



7 o MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

" What's going on out there ? " 

David's answer was a cry for help. A boat manned 
by three men pulled out of the darkness, and in another 
minute Odenheimer and the now exhausted seaman were 
hauled over the gunwale. David himself crawled in by 
the aid of an extended oar. 

The Englishman was well-nigh drowned. He lay in 
the stern sheets choking and groaning weakly. 

" Why, it is two of our midshipmen ! " said one of the 
seamen, bending down close to look at Odenheimer. 

" Where is Mr. Downes ? " panted David. 

" He has just returned to the ship, sir," answered one 
of the men. " We rowed him off to the ship, sir." 

They had pulled to the gangway and three or four of 
the foremast hands came down to meet them. They 
carried Odenheimer and the prisoner up on deck. 

Lieutenant Downes was standing at the lantern that 
hung against the mainmast. David walked up to him. 

" Mr. Downes," he said, " we took French leave, but 
there is something of importance we have to tell. The 
prisoners are planning to retake the Essex, Jr." 

" They brought one with them, sir," put in the sea- 
man who had hauled David into the gig. 

" Perhaps he can give us some information," said 
Lieutenant Downes, looking at the exhausted man who 
was being lifted to his feet. 

But not a word could they get from him. He had 
recovered his senses and stood there glowering at the 
bovs in silence. 



A LUCKY SCRAPE. 71 

" Go below, young gentlemen, and get on dry clothes 
and report on deck. You will tell your story to Captain 
Porter himself," Mr. Downes said curtly. 

Then the lieutenant turned to a quartermaster stand- 
ing near. 

"Turn out the guard," he ordered, "arm all hands, 
and call away the gig." 

In half an hour the boys were standing before Cap- 
tain Porter's table in the cabin of the Essex. 

Lieutenant Downes had said nothing about the mat- 
ter of leaving the ship ; he had merely introduced the 
subject by stating that the two midshipmen had captured 
one of the prisoners in the water and that there was a 
plan to take the Essex, Jr. 

The Commander thanked th'em in few words, and im- 
mediate preparations were made so that closer surveil- 
lance of the prisoners' settlement might be made. Noth- 
ing further, however, was heard of the plot. The 
strange capture of the ringleader had apparently had a 
discouraging effect upon them. 

The next morning at daylight the Essex, Jr., was 
moved farther from the shore. As she was about to 
drop anchor in her new berth, signals flew from the 
flagship. At the entrance to the bay a strange sail 
was seen hove to, and evidently surveying the mysteri- 
ous fleet anchored farther inshore. Soon an order was 
received from Captain Porter for the Essex, Jr., to get 
under way and ascertain who the interloper was. The 
latter had now become suspicious ; she had spread all 



72 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

her canvas and was making off to the southward. The 
Essex, Jr., cleared the point and rounded on her track. 
But a stern chase is a long one, and as Midshipman 
Farragut looked back at the island he did not know 
what a strange adventure was before him. 



CHAPTER X. 

AN EXCHANGE OF CREWS. 

The wind that had carried the cruiser out of the 
bay held some three hours strong and fair, but the 
strange vessel ahead had proved herself a clever trav- 
eler, and the Essex, Jr., gained but little. All at once 
the wind changed and they caught it from different 
directions. Then followed what is often seen at sea- 
one vessel carrying the wind abeam, and another only 
a short distance in advance, wishing to hold the same 
course, carrying it on the quarter. This lasted a few 
minutes, during which time the Essex, Jr., pulled up 
rapidly. 

As quickly as the counter breeze had sprung to life, 
however, it died away, and there the pursuer and pur- 
sued lay about a mile apart, idly drifting on the 
motionless surface. 

As the evening came on, preparations were made on 
board the Yankee cruiser for getting out the boats and 
finding something definite about the chase, and as soon 
as it was dark two cutters were lowered silently over 
the side. Lieutenant Downes was in charge of one and 
David Farragut sat in the stern sheets of the other. 

73 



74 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

Getting the direction of the strange vessel, they pulled 
away. Their oars were wrapped in the rowlocks and 
made no noise. 

All during the pursuit of the day the Essex, Jr., had 
flown the British flag, which had been answered by the 
stranger's displaying the same. Surprise is a great ele- 
ment of success in a boarding expedition in small boats, 
and it would have been foolish to have attempted recon- 
noitring in broad daylight. 

David's cutter was slow, and although his men 
labored strongly at the oars, they could not keep pace 
with the lighter boat. It had grown very dark, and 
suddenly it was discovered that Captain Downes had 
disappeared. It would never do to hail, as they had 
traversed half the distance, in David's estimation, that 
lay between his ship and the stranger. So he called 
for " oars." The men ceased rowing ; not a sound could 
be heard, and they started forward once again. For an 
hour they pulled ahead, occasionally stopping and listen- 
ing, but without result. At last, hearing no shouts or 
firing, David presumed that the other boat had also 
missed the way or had returned to the Essex, Jr. 

There was nothing to do now but wait for daylight. 
Making themselves as comfortable as they could, the 
men sat there in silence. It had been cloudy up aloft 
and there were no stars shining, which was a remarkable 
circumstance for the tropics, and David had noticed, as 
he had gone through the cabin before leaving the ship, 
that the barometer was falling rapidly. 



AN EXCHANGE OF CREWS. 75 

All at once a vivid gleam lit up the horizon. It shot 
and quivered into the sky and was reflected through 
the clouds that apparently hung low to the southward. 
In that brief flash the men in the boat had seen ahead 
of them the dark outlines of the hull and spars of a 
ship not half a cable's length away ; but whether it was 
their own vessel or the one they had set out to recon- 
noitre, they could not tell. Hawley, the boatswain's 
mate, was at the tiller. David turned to him. 

" Was that lightning, Hawley ? " he asked in a whis- 
per; "and did you see the ship?" 

" I did, sir," the man replied, " but I never saw light- 
ning like that before." 

As he spoke another gleam arose, red and straight, as 
though out of a lantern. It vibrated for a moment and 
then as suddenly went out. Once more the craft ahead 
stood out in strong relief. So calm was it that she might 
have been aground. The sails hung in straight lines 
from the yards ; there was not a creak, or a movement, 
or a sound of life from her. After the second flash of 
light Hawley leaned forward. 

" It is one of them burning mountains, Mr. Farragut," 
he said. 

David had heard of volcanoes but had never seen 
one ; he did not know how far the reflection would 
carry, and that the light he saw was a hundred miles 
away. But there were other things to think of now. 

" We are going to board that vessel, Hawley," he 
whispered. 



7 6 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

" Very good, sir. It's coming on to blow, I think," 
said the boatswain. 

David shook the man nearest to him, who was asleep 
on the thwarts. 

" Pass the word to get out your oars silently," he said. 
" Hawley, have you the direction of that vessel?" 

" Aye, aye, sir," was the answer in a whisper. 

The men were settling the oars in the rowlocks and 
stirring themselves sleepily. David stood up. He could 
hardly see the faces of those nearest him, but he made a 
little speech, pronouncing his words slowly and distinctly, 
just above his breath. 

" Men," he said, " there's a vessel straight ahead. We 
don't know what she is, but we are going to take her. If 
she wants fight, she'll get it. If she surrenders, well and 
good." 

He gave orders for two or three long, slow strokes to 
be pulled. Then called for " oars " again. The heavy 
cutter had gained headway and drifted slowly. 

" Boat your oars ! " said Midshipman Farragut. 

There was not a sound as the heavy sweeps were laid 
on the thwarts. Suddenly there came a strange sensa- 
tion. There was a little whispering in the bow and the 
cutter's headway stopped. The men on the port side 
were fending off with their hands, and so close was 
the hull of the silent vessel that David touched it also. 

" It's our own ship, sir," said one of the men. 

" Stop your jaw ! " said Hawley. " It's not, Mr. Far- 
ragut. It's the stranger." 



AN EXCHANGE OF CREWS. 77 

They were abreast of the chains, and bidding the men 
follow, David hauled himself out of the seat. A cheer 
broke out and the cutter's crew tumbled over the bul- 
warks. 

It was a strange sight they saw. The binnacle light 
threw into dim relief a solitary figure at the wheel. 
David came close to him. The man did not move at 
first. Suddenly his face broadened into a grin. 

" Well, by gosh ! " he said. " Ye ain't no Britishers 
now, be ye? " 

There was no mistaking the New Hampshire 
drawl. 

" We are Americans," said David. " Where's your 
crew and who are you ? " 

" Captain Cyrus Peters," the man replied, " of the 
Yankee ship Albatross, and my crew is somewhere out 
there trying to cut your vessel out, by gosh ! We never 
thought ye was a Yankee man-o'-war." 

He threw his head back, and a laugh that might at 
least have been heard half a mile doubled him up like a 
jackknife. 

" What vessel do you belong to, my young gentle- 
man?" he inquired. 

David responded by telling his ship, and, in a few 
words, what the squadron had been doing. 

The men had been standing around chuckling and 
laughing among themselves when suddenly the skipper 
interrupted the goings on. He lifted his hand warn- 
ingly. 



78 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

" Hold on, by gum ! " he said. " I thought that some- 
thing was going to happen." 

There had come a puff of heated air that lifted the 
great sails once and dropped them listlessly. The jibs 
rattled, and the ship's head paid off. 

" We are going to have a blow," the captain said. " I 
feared it." 

He jumped to the side and, making a trumpet of his 
hands, shouted out into the darkness: 

" Ho, you Albatross's boats ! Back to the ship, and 
lively ! " 

There came no answer. Then the hail was again re- 
peated. This time a faint sound was heard, an answering 
call, and off to the north a small red spurt of flame ripped 
against the darkness. An instant later the report of a 
gun came booming over the water. 

" That's a signal — the signal to return, Captain Peters," 
said David. " Have you a gun with which we can an- 
swer?" 

" Aye, sir, there's one on the forecastle. I'm a little 
afeared of the two we have in the waist. But they're all 
loaded to the muzzle, sir. My crew is extra large, and 
we have been on half rations. I picked up a wrecked 
whaler in the Behring Sea." 

A grizzled old tar (one of the three men that had re- 
mained with the captain on board the Albatross) disap- 
peared into the galley. He came running out with a live 
coal between two sticks of wood. 

" Now let the eagle scream ! " he said. 



AN EXCHANGE OF CREWS. 79 

The gun on the forecastle roared out, and a hail of 
scrap iron went hurtling and scattering over the sea. As 
if in answer to the flash, once more the red glare spread 
along the horizon to the south. 

" We git answer from the old volcano," said Captain 
Peters with a grin. " By hemlock, here comes the 
wind ! " 

Again the yards had lifted and the foresail backed 
against the mast. The captain shouted out some orders. 
The men stood fast. A lantern had been lit at the en- 
trance to the galley, and old Hawley approached David. 

" The crew would rather take their orders from you, 
sir, if you please," he said, saluting. 

The skipper had overheard it. 

" Never mind me, youngster," he replied. " Come, 
bawl away ! We'll git those headsails in. Snakes ! I 
hope your vessel picked up my three boats ; if not, Lord 
help them ! " 

David's shrill voice rang out. Hawley stepped to the 
wheel and Captain Peters was the first one to step to the 
loosened sheets. The men, with half a cheer for " Old 
Long Shanks," followed. It was not a moment too soon. 
As if it had been shot from the mouth of a cannon the 
wind came down upon them, and as suddenly as the toss 
of a huge blanket the sea rose up on every side. It was 
most unaccountable. Where such great waves could 
jump from it was hard to imagine. In an instant the 
vessel seemed to be in the midst of a caldron. The heavy 
cutter at her side was dashed to pieces, and, almost on her 



8o MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

beam ends, she answered her helm and forged up into 
the wind. 

The men had come in from the bowsprit and were 
sliding down from aloft. Under the trysail and storm 
staysail, and the rest bare poles, the Albatross had 
now turned about and was going on the wind. So 
deep had she dipped into the tossing water that she 
had taken on board a huge sea forward, and Captain 
Peters, dripping wet, made his way aft. 

" I've seen it before," he said — " once before in the 
harbor of Lisbon — kick up this same to-do. It is an 
earthquake, Captain Midshipman. You see we're in 
shallow water here.',' 

He had shouted these words into David's ear. The 
latter, holding fast to the wheel with Hawley, tried to 
answer, but a fiercer gust blew the words away. There 
was a ripping sound, a loud report, and the staysail blew 
out in ribbons. 

The stern of the Albatross seemed to lift into the air 
and her bow was buried so deeply that tons of water 
came roaring over into the waist. The captain had 
grasped the spokes of the wheel, and he and Hawley,^ 
by exerting all their strength, swung her head up a lit- 
tle. It was lucky that this had happened, for even in 
the darkness they could see a huge shape just to lee- 
ward of the point of the bowsprit. 

" Missed her by the toss of a cap, Mr. Farragut," 
said Hawley. Every one had called aloud in fear. 

Up to this time there had been no lightning, but a 



AN EXCHANGE OF CREWS. 



great flash burst from overhead and they could see 
that the Essex, Jr., was alongside, almost yardarm to 
yardarm. She had drifted athwart their bows. A roar 
of thunder followed and then all was silent but for the 
tearing of the wind aloft. 

" We will give her a wider berth," said Captain 
Peters, turning a spoke or two of the wheel. " No 
weather for kites, messmate ! " he cried to Hawley. 
" Heaven grant they have my men aboard your ves- 
sel ! " 

On into the darkness forged the Albatross ; in an 
hour or so dawn spread, and back to windward they 
could just make out the Essex, Jr., pitching and tossing 
in the heavy seas. 

Before noon the wind and sea went down and land 
was sighted to the westward from the masthead. The 
Albatross squared away on a new course and sail was 
shortened. 

The anxiety of the Yankee skipper had increased 
until he could do nothing but walk up and down the 
deck, working his long fingers nervously. Whether or 
not his boats had been picked up, he did not know, and 
it was painful to watch his expression as the Essex, Jr., 
drew up closer in the wake of the merchantman. 

At last she was within hailing distance, and, following 
the etiquette of the service, David had to wait for his 
senior to speak him first. 

Captain Peters could scarce contain himself now. 
His hands trembled so he could hardly hold the 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



telescope to his eyes ; but suddenly he gave a 
whoop — 

" Glory ! Glory ! Hallelujah ! " he cried. " There's 
Pumpkin Billy, the carpenter. I can't mistake that face, 
by Davy Jones." 

The bulwarks of the cruiser were crowded with 
heads, and in the foremast shrouds a dark knot of 
men were waiting. 

Suddenly a tall man with a trumpet leaned out from 
the quarter-deck. 

" Albatross, there ! are our men on board of 
you ? " 

David had Captain Peters's trumpet to his lips ; it 
hid half his face. 

" All right, sir ! All on board ! " he called shrilly. 
" Have you the people of this ship ? " 

" Yes, safe and sound," was the answer. 

A cheer broke out from the listening crews. 

" I knowed it as soon as I saw Billy's phiz," said 
Captain Peters, cutting off a huge quid of tobacco. 

By this time the two vessels were abreast of one 
another, and a great broad-shouldered man on the Essex, 
Jr.'s, forecastle lifted his elbows from the rail. His round 
face was almost twice the expanse of an ordinary per- 
son's, and, as if to heighten the effect, it was surrounded 
by bushy whiskers the color of a golden pumpkin for 
all the world. 

He opened his lips and his voice crossed the wide 
space as if he were only a few feet away. Even Kings- 




w 



AN EXCHANGE OF CREWS. 83 

bury's would have sounded like a piping child beside 
him. 

" Oh, Cap'n CyV' he said, " did ye get a wett'n' ? 
We captured this ere craft. What'll we do with 
her ? " 

A roar of laughter broke out in which David joined. 
Captain Peters at his elbow chuckled and whispered : 

" They say that Billy was going out to sea to be 
gone two years, and when they were a mile offshore 
he hallooed back and asked a girl to marry him. She 
waved a pocket handkerchief, and when he came back 
they was married." 

David laughed again. 

The land ahead was being rapidly raised, and now 
both ships broke out their light sails. It became a race 
to seek the anchorage. The masts of Commodore Por- 
ter's fleet could be seen, and the familiar peaks of Nuka- 
hiva towered up against the sky. 

The Essex, Jr., slowly drew ahead, however, and 
entered the harbor first by only a few cables' lengths. 

In the course of the explanations that followed, the 
rather amusing fact was developed that the Albatross's 
boats met the other cutter from the Essex, Jr., almost 
under the bows of the latter vessel, and that the anx- 
iety felt during the sudden storm was only alleviated 
by the momentary glimpse of the Albatross that the 
flash of lightning gave. 



CHAPTER XL 

FAREWELL TO NUKAHIVA. 

There was very little chance for a lad to have his 
head turned or to become conceited in the service in 
those days. If he did what was at all remarkable, he 
received a few words of commendation ; if he did only 
his duty, no thanks came to him ; but if he shirked, or 
failed, there was no pity for him. 

So although this was David's second command since 
he had reported on board the flagship, he received 
with a sense of pleasure Captain Porter's terse " You've 
done well, Mr. Farragut," when he became again a 
midshipman. 

The war which had been going on in the interior 
of the island, and in which Captain Porter had assisted, 
mainly in the position of a peacemaker, was ended. 
The tribes had been brought into friendly relations to- 
ward one another, and all hands were now preparing 
to break anchorage and start upon another cruise. 

During the absence of the Essex, Jr., on her chase 
of the Albatross (which latter vessel, of course, went 
on, her way) the mutinous prisoners had been placed 
on board the ships and the ringleaders put in irons. 

84 



FAREWELL TO NUKAHIVA. 85 

In describing this event Middy Odenheimer laughed. 

" It was a sad joke to them — the prisoners, I mean," 
he said ; " but even some of them were forced to smile. 
You should have seen " old Logan." He called them 
all on deck, and how polite he was ! He thanked them 
for all they had done and for all their good inten- 
tions, and begged their pardon for not appreciating it 
more. He said that owing to its being manifest that 
they were not pleased at being left alone, they should 
become his guests, and he promptly ordered them be- 
low in the hold. I didn't know there were so 
many." 

" He will make a cartel of one of the ships and 
send them to England, I suppose," put in Tittermary 
who was lolling back in his hammock, swinging him- 
self to and fro with one hand on the deck beam. 

" Well, he had better not give them any powder and 
shot ; they'll turn pirates sure enough," answered Clark, 
" I wouldn't trust them, hull down." 

The master at arms poked his head into the steer- 
age. 

" Lights out, gentlemen ! " he said. 

The lantern was extinguished, but the boys whis- 
pered on for some time in their hammocks, until the 
measured breathing of Odenheimer showed that he had 
fallen fast asleep. 

" What in the world was that ? " said David sud- 
denly, starting up. 

A grating noise came from the starboard side of the 



86 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

steerage near the midshipman's chests ; then a sound as 
if some one had dropped a coat or cap on the deck.. 

" Hush ! " said Midshipman Ogden ; " that's the old 
king rat. He's as big as a woodchuck. Something 
will have to be done, sure enough, to get rid of the 
beasts. Did you hang up your boots ? " 

" No," said David, slipping out of the hammock, " I 
forgot to." 

Such a pest had the rodents become on board the 
Essex, Jr., and, in fact, on board of several of the other 
vessels, that it had reached a serious condition of 
affairs. They had eaten through several of the water 
casks, and, as was discovered upon investigation, had 
even gone deeply into the skin of the vessels them- 
selves ; and woe betide the pair of boots that was left 
where their sharp teeth could get at them. 

" I heard one of the quartermasters say," said Oden- 
heimer, " that we are going to smoke them out to- 
morrow. Mean work smoking out rats ! " 

The next morning preparations were made for get- 
ting rid of the vermin. All hands were called on deck. 
Stores that might spoil were moved up to the air. 
Smudges of sulphur and tar were laid in different parts 
of the ship in basins, ready to be set on fire. 

Those in the hold were lighted first, and the heavy, 
sickening fumes rolled up the hatchway. A seaman 
with a burning match came coughing up the ladder. 

David was on the berth deck superintending the dis- 
position of the smudges, and had just seen the last one 



FAREWELL TO NUKAHIVA. 87 

lighted and was about to make a run for the hatch, 
when there arose a most peculiar shriek. Something 
dashed by him, striking against his legs and almost 
throwing him off his balance. Clark, who was half-way 
up to the spar deck, shouted out : 

" David, David, it's Murphy ! Didn't you hear 
him ? " 

Now, Murphy was the ship's pig, and he was a pig 
of no mean order. So thoroughly had he worked his 
way into the affections of the crew that, although pork 
was not tabooed as a staple of diet, and many other 
pigs were in close confinement, to have eaten Murphy 
would have been considered an act of rank cannibalism, 
and nothing less. He was not a pig with a pedigree, 
but certainly he had known a strange existence, and 
was the one surviving member of a litter that had been 
born on shipboard. On Sunday parade Murphy took 
his station with the rest of the crew, and he did this 
in such a matter-of-fact way that the men had ceased 
laughing at him. A number in a mess had been given 
him, and he had a little suit of sailors' clothes, even 
to the cap, made for him by the ship's tailor. 

The idea of leaving poor Murphy down there in that 
smothering, choking place to die a frightful death 
never crossed David's mind. He turned and followed 
the squealing pig forward, and at last, choking and 
spluttering, cornered him at the bitts ; but when he arose 
from his knees he was so dizzy and sick from the 
fumes that were thickening about him that he could 



8S MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

not make out the direction of the hatchway. All at 
once a voice roared down from above. 

" Mr. Farragut, come out of that ! " 

There was an accent of fear in the tone, yet David's 
half-failing senses recognized old Kingsbury. 

" All right ! " David tried to answer, and stumbled. 

A great figure, snorting and swearing volubly, 
tripped over him, and Kingsbury gathered him up in 
his arms and carried him, and Murphy also, up the 
ladder into the air and sunlight. Here all three lay 
upon the deck, gasping and choking for breath. 

Of course all this goes to prove that David was, 
after all, nothing but a boy ; but the risking of his life 
to save a pig did not detract from his popularity among 
the crew. However, for his pains he received a rating 
from Lieutenant McKnight, and for some hours he 
feared that his lungs would never cease paining him. 
But the rats were got rid of, and the traces and effects 
of their ravages were repaired. 

As has been said before, the midshipmen had been 
allowed very little liberty on shore, but yet they had 
made the acquaintance of a few of the natives who 
visited the ships, and one in particular had become at- 
tached to the rescuer of Murphy. It was a young 
Hippah lad whose name was Tamaha. As was the 
custom among these kindly people, if they wished to 
show a mark of affection or respect, they requested 
permission to exchange names, and Tamaha had ex- 
changed with David Farragut. Often had the boys 



FAREWELL TO NUKAHIVA. 89 

paddled together along the shallows and swam races 
during the bathing hours about the ships. 

The young Hippah was tall and slender, with 
smooth, supple limbs and muscles that worked beneath 
his velvet skin like those of a panther. But he was 
kindly and affectionate, and, as was subsequently proved, 
his heart had gone out to the powerful white strangers 
who had visited his shores. He had picked up a few 
words of English and was a favorite with every one. 

Early in December the water casks had been re- 
plenished. The crews had recommenced exercising at 
the guns, the Essex and the Essex, Jr., were rigged all 
ataunto, and the rumors of sailing had become a cer- 
tainty ; but there was to be one little exciting scene 
before they spread their canvas. 

On Sunday, the 9th of December, as was the cus- 
tom, the men exchanged visits. The forecastle is the 
pulse of the ship, and, from the mutterings and conver- 
sation, it was perceived that the crews of both vessels 
were in a feverish condition, for the life at Nukahiva 
had been a round of delight for the Jack-tars. They 
hated to give up the pleasures of the beautiful island, 
with its shady palm groves, fresh fruits, music and 
singing ; and it was known that it was a final farewell 
they were to bid to " Fiddler's Green." 

Exaggerated reports of this dissatisfaction reached 
the officers, and the question was discussed in Captain 
Porter's cabin. 

On Monday David had transferred his chest and 



9 o MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

small belongings to the Essex. He came on board in 
the morning watch. All the brass work shone in the 
early morning light. There was an air of expectancy, 
and yet suspense, throughout the vessel. The men 
talked in half whispers. 

Before breakfast the drum beat and all hands were 
assembled on the spar deck. Captain Porter, accom- 
panied by his officers, came out of the cabin. In his 
hand he carried a heavy brass-hilted cutlass. Glancing 
at his face, David saw that he was controlling himself 
with difficulty. His voice shook with anger as he 
gave orders for the crew to muster on the larboard 
side. Then he advanced to the capstan and placed 
the heavy cutlass upon it. For an instant he stood 
there with folded arms, gazing up and down the lines 
of faces. Some of the men shifted uneasily, but not a 
lip moved. There was not a man dared to attract at- 
tention to himself. One of the officers coughed nerv- 
ously. At last the captain was speaking : 

" All of you who are in favor of weighing anchor 
when I give the order, pass over to the starboard side. 
You who are of a different determination, stay on the 
larboard." 

An instant of hesitation, and the whole crew to a 
man crossed the deck. 

Captain Porter's voice rose. 

" How is this ? " he said. " Robert White, step for- 
ward ! " 

A pale-faced man, with a line of jet-black whis- 



FAREWELL TO NUKAHIVA. 91 

kers framing his heavy jaw, stood out from the 
crew. 

" Did you not tell them on board the Essex, Jr., 
that the crew of this vessel would refuse to weigh 
anchor when I gave the order ? " he questioned. 

" No, sir," faltered the poor wretch, his hands clasp- 
ing and unclasping nervously. 

" You lie, you scoundrel ! " 

Porter turned to one of the officers. 

" Read the list of men who visited the Essex, Jr., 
yesterday, Mr. Wilmer." 

The officer did so, and as each man's name was 
called out he stepped forward. White was an English- 
man who had joined the crew of the Essex from one 
of the prizes and had taken the oath. 

To each of the assembled group Porter put the 
question : 

" Did you not hear of this thing on board the 
Essex, Jr. ? " 

And each man replied, with a lift of his fingers to 
his cap : 

" Yes, sir, I did." 

White had wavered to and fro. It appeared for an 
instant as if he were going to faint. When the last 
man had answered the question, Porter reached for the 
heavy cutlass on the capstan. 

"Run, you scoundrel, run for your life!" he cried. 

The culprit needed no more to urge him. He 
sprang for the companion way. As he went through, 



92 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

the toe of old Kingsbury's boot assisted him materially. 
There was a plash alongside, and he was seen striking 
out for the shore, when a canoe picked him up. 

Porter smiled and placed the cutlass in a rack. A 
weight seemed to be lifted from his mind and he 
spoke to the men with the old hearty ring in his voice 
that always held them. 

" Lads," he said, " you will stay by me. I can not 
thank you for doing your duty, but I shall say that I 
am proud of you." 

Then he turned. His tone was almost gay now. 

" Here, Johnny Bow," he cried, " up with you ! " 

A little sailor with a fiddle tucked under his chin 
mounted the capstan. The men with half a cheer set 
the bars into place, and Johnny Bow, with one foot 
stamping out the time, struck up " The girl I left be- 
hind me," and the lively rattle of capstan joined in an 
accompaniment. 

From the quarter-deck the officers were bawling 
orders. The Essex walked up to her anchor and it 
rose out of the water steadily to the catheads ; then the 
wind caught her head sails and she swung slowly about, 
her bow pointing seaward. 

The Essex, Jr., followed suit. A cheer from the 
vessels left behind, and from the little fort that had 
been built on shore, was followed by a rousing one 
from the sailors of the Essex, who had caught the 
spirit of their commander. 

It was a grand day. The sky was dotted with little 



FAREWELL TO NUKAHIVA. 93 

fleecy patches of white clouds. Never was a crew in 
such health and spirits. In the sick bay not a single 
man was present, nor had one reported at the doctor's 
call. 

The Essex, Jr., and the frigate forged ahead to the 
westward and southward. — Farewell to Nukahiva, fare- 
well to " Fiddler's Green ! " 

David, who was stowing his chest, suddenly heard 
his name called, and, looking up, he saw that Clark 
was standing close to him. 

" Who do you suppose is on board this ship ? " he 
asked quite eagerly. 

" That is a strange way to put a question," replied 
David. " Give it up." 

" Your namesake, David Farragut Tamaha ! " 

" No ! " exclaimed David in surprise. 

" I saw him in the forecastle not a moment since," 
put in Middy Isaacs. " He looks a trifle frightened. 
Perhaps he is searching for his brother." 

David smiled. " I'll run up and see him," he 
said. 

As he came up on deck he noticed that the wind 
had changed, and that the two vessels had gone about 
on the starboard tack. Off to the westward, its blue 
peaks rising against the clear sky, lay the beautiful 
island. Nearer was another and smaller one of the 
group, and farther away a third. So clear was the 
air that it seemed almost possible for a pistol shot to 
have reached them. Many of the men were sadly 



94 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

gazing back, and many were probably wishing them- 
selves there once 'more. 

A slim, half-naked figure was crouching by the 
foremast. It was poor Tamaha. As soon as he saw 
David he arose and came nearer. His dark eyes had 
a frightened look and he was trembling from head to 
foot. David took the outstretched hand. 

" Good ! " he said. " You come with us." 

"I go with you," Tamaha answered in his native 
tongue. 

" We'll make a sailor of him, youngster," said one 
of the officers who was going by. " I'll see he draws 
some clothes from the slop chest." 

It had fallen calm again and continued so until late 
in the evening. Early in the first night watch David 
came on deck. He was searching for Tamaha. A 
slight breeze had sprung up and the frigate had gath- 
ered headway. The men were hauling in the jib sheets 
when there came a sound of a few angry words and a 
scuffle from the forecastle. Ten minutes afterward a 
man came running aft. Hurriedly he saluted the offi- 
cer of the watch. 

" The native, sir — he's gone overboard ; I judge 
some time ago ! " 

The helmsman threw the great ship up into the 
wind and all ran to the rail. 

"Shall we lower a boat, sir?" asked a quarter- 
master. 

" How far do you make it to the shore ? " 



FAREWELL TO NUKAHIVA. 95 

" It's above twelve miles," was the reply. 

" He'll make that all right. Let him go." 

The helmsman turned the spokes of the wheel and 
the Essex paid off. 

David dreamed that night that he had looked over 
the rail and that he could see the lift of the strong- 
naked arms furiously striking out in the wilderness of 
water with that swift motion that makes the Pacific 
Islander the greatest swimmer in the world. 

" Come back, Tamaha ! " he had shouted. 

The only answer in his dream had been a wave of 
the hand. 

Strange to say, long afterward it was learned that 
Tamaha did reach home again after having swam some 
fifteen miles. 



CHAPTER XII. 

A SAILOR ON HORSEBACK. 

New Year's Day of the year 1814 was passed on 
shipboard. The men of the Essex had again com- 
menced the ceaseless drilling. 

It was remarked in after years by many officers 
when they saw a seaman who was especially proficient 
with the cutlass, that " that man must have been on 
the Essex." Every detail of the drill was carefully at- 
tended to, and the stay on shore, the exercise and 
healthy food — all had placed the crew, as we have re- 
marked before, in a fine state of health. The way 
they handled the great guns and scrambled aloft, and 
the cheerful answers to orders, all meant much should 
the frigate ever meet an enemy worthy to exchange 
broadsides with her. 

Looking in at Concepcion, the Essex proceeded 
down the Chilian coast and came to anchor in the 
harbor of Valparaiso. Here she found a number of 
English merchantmen and one or two Americans at 
anchor. 

As soon as Porter had found a good berth for his 

96 



A SAILOR ON HORSEBACK. 97 

vessel and another for the Essex, Jr., the men applied 
for liberty. 

Odenheimer, Clark, Tittermary, and Farragut asked 
for shore leave on the second day. It was granted, 
and in a crowded boat they were rowed to land. The 
liberty men were dressed in their best white suits, and 
a brave array of brown, hearty fellows they made as 
they clambered up at the stone landing place and 
separated into the narrow streets in groups of five 
and six. 

The costumes of the inhabitants, the broad hats 
with bright colors, the serapes and the ponchos, held a 
great fascination for the boys. Gazing about them, 
they followed a passageway between the low white 
buildings until they came to a public square. 

Across the plaza a church rose above the palms of 
a little garden. The deep-toned bell struck the hour, 
and a procession of priests came from one of the 
neighboring buildings and entered the doorway of the 
church. 

From the windows of the houses occasionally might 
be seen dark-eyed women fanning themselves leisurely 
beneath the shade of the brilliant awnings. At the 
street corners indolent clusters of men and boys stood 
smoking. 

" Can you imagine these people getting excited ? " 
said Clark, stopping for an instant and looking around 
at the peaceful scene. 

" It looks like Spain," said Odenheimer, who had 



98 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

been abroad and constantly referred to it. " You can 
hardly imagine you are in South America." 

" Where shall we go now ? " put in David. 

An idea was suggested to all the boys at the same 
moment by seeing a handsome caballcro ride down the 
street on a spirited, wiry little horse, the silver or- 
naments on his saddle and bridle glistening and jing- 
ling merrily as he pranced from side to side, light- 
footed as an antelope. 

The midshipmen watched him in admiration, and it 
was evident that the rider had caught their glance, for 
he touched his horse on the flank with the spur, and 
the beast stood straight up on his hind legs, coming 
down as lightly as a feather. At the same time the 
Chilian lifted his hat. 

"Buenos dias, caballeros" he said, smiling and show- 
ing his fine white teeth. 

" Buenos dias, caballero" returned Odenheimer, in 
good Spanish. Then he went on : " We were admiring 
your fine horse, senor." 

" Oh, he is a beauty ! " said the man. " He is very 
proud of himself. You're Americans from the warship 
in the harbor, are you not ? " he went on. " What is 
her name ? " he asked. 

" The Essex," returned Odenheimer. 

"Oh!" exclaimed the man in astonishment. "You 
have made the English tremble here." 

He approached the boys and spoke a word to the 
horse, which stood as still as a statue while the rider 



A SAILOR ON HORSEBACK. 99 



threw one foot from the stirrup and jumped quickly to 
the ground. 

" Could you tell us," asked Odenheimer, " where we 
could get horses to ride ? " 

The Chilian looked pleased. 

" Bien ! " he said, " you have come to the right per- 
son. My horses are at your disposal, gentlemen. But 
stay ; can't you come to my hacienda and spend the 
night ? I should be most honored." 

" We have leave until to-morrow morning," said 
Clark in a whisper. 

Odenheimer accepted for the party. 

" I will send one of my men out into the country 
and bring the horses in for you," said the other. 
" My name is Jose del Serrano, and all I have is yours." 

Odenheimer introduced the three others by name. 
Midshipman Tittermary hardly recognized his name as 
the stranger pronounced it after him. 

They made their way down to where one of the 
little cafes stood at a corner, and Don Tose, calling- a 
loitering peon, addressed him by name, and the fellow 
soon rode off. 

The little horse had followed down the roadway ; 
suddenly he pricked his ears. Up the hill that led 
from the water front came a strange cavalcade. 

"Here are some of our men," cried David, jump- 
ing up. 

" Sailors on horseback ! " laughed Tittermary. " Did 
you ever see such a sight in your life ! " 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



Up the street they came, a score of the Essex's 
blue jackets astride, in various fashions, of some 
sorry-looking beasts they had hired in the lower 
town. 

Stirrups were flying and men were swaying in their 
saddles and holding on by mane and tail. They swept 
past with a shout. Don Jose threw back his head and 
laughed. 

" They are not born to the saddle," he said. " You 
gentlemen all ride ? " 

David confessed through Odenheimer that he had 
never been on horseback in his life. 

" We will teach you, then," was the response. 

It was not long before the peon returned leading 
four saddle horses whose trappings were scarcely less 
gay than those of Sefior Serrano's little black. The 
sefior superintended the adjustment of the stirrups, and 
soon all were mounted. 

Clark and David had fallen a little to the rear of 
the others, who had galloped on ahead. 

" What do you think of our new friend, David ? " 
Jack asked. 

" I don't know exactly. I wish I spoke Spanish," 
David replied. " You see I can not tell what he is 
talking about." 

" It is my opinion," Clark said, " that he under- 
stands what we are talking about. That man speaks 
English, mark my words ! " 

" What makes you think so ? " 



A SAILOR ON HORSEBACK. 



" His expression when we were talking together. 
You notice it next time." 

They rode on through stretches of rolling country 
interspersed with white-walled, low-roofed buildings. 
But at last they came to a level plain dotted with cul- 
tivated fields and groups of trees, behind which, 
against the eastern sky, towered a great range of 
sharp-toothed mountain peaks. Turning from the hot 
white road up a lane, they came to a low-walled build- 
ing and entered a courtyard through a gate, the hand- 
some iron doors of which were swung open as they 
approached. A low veranda, from the posts of which 
hung gayly colored hammocks, surrounded one angle 
of the court. 

A man dressed in the Spanish costume stepped to 
the doorway. It was evident at a glance that he was 
either an American or an Englishman. His light-blue 
eyes, his ruddy complexion and curling hair, betrayed 
him in an instant. However, he spoke in Spanish, and 
was introduced to the boys as Sefior del Montigo. 

Two or three servants had taken care of the horses, 
and the party entered the cool shade of the building. 
Here a long conversation was held between Oden- 
heimer and the host. In the mean time Senor del 
Montigo stood to one side looking curiously at the 
midshipmen. 

After some light refreshments another ride was pro- 
posed for the afternoon, and, nothing loath, the boys 
found themselves again in the saddle. A little practice 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



had made them feel more secure, and they enjoyed the 
swift galloping and the exciting races they ran across 
the plains. The horse that David was riding had a 
o-ait as easy as a cradle. When they had ridden per- 
haps three miles he and Tittermary indulged in a lit- 
tle run away from the main party, who had entered 
the shadow of a small grove of palms. 

David was exulting in the sense of freedom, and the 
stretching away of the lithe form, and the soft rebound 
of the hoofs beneath him, sent the blood double-pace 
through his veins. " Isn't it fine ? " he shouted back 
to Tittermary, who was some yards behind him. 

The latter's horse was not so good and was evi- 
dently straining to keep up. 

" Hold on, David ! " the elder midshipman shouted. 
" We are getting a little too far off, I think. Hold 
him in ! " 

David gave a pull upon the reins, but the only re- 
sponse was a stretching out of the supple neck, and 
the leather went through his fingers as if he had hold 
of a topsail sheet in a gale. Again he tried to stop 
the horse, but the speed seemed only to increase. 

" He's running away," he shouted back, for an in- 
stant a sense of fear coming into his heart. 

Tittermary was now lashing his steed with his cap. 
But David's horse, turning abruptly to the left, almost 
unseated his rider and plunged down a steep bank 
into a long arroyo, a dried water course that led into 
the hillside. 



A SAILOR ON HORSEBACK. 103 

David, who had now regained his courage, wondered 
how the beast kept his feet. 

He could hear Tittermary's shouts growing fainter 
and fainter behind him. 

Again the animal swerved to the right and followed 
a narrow rocky path ; another turn to the left, and then 
a slow incline, up which the beast pushed as if he 
knew no such thing as fatigue. 

When on the level once more, David looked about 
him. He could see nothing but a wide space filled 
with stunted bushes, and the sloping foothills that led 
up to the mountains. Turning around, he saw that the 
hill hid the town and the houses from his sight. 

Now he tried to guide the horse about, but he 
might as well have tried to stop a ship with a boat 
hook. 

On they ran. Two or three times it crossed the 
midshipman's mind that he might throw himself from 
the saddle and land safely on the ground ; but one 
look at the stone-covered surface made him give up 
this idea. 

A sense of the strangeness of the adventure came 
over him. Where was he going and when would the 
horse stop running ? 

Now they crossed a path and entered a deep ravine 
toward the not distant mountains. The horse was pant- 
ing, and it was evident that he could not hold the pace 
much longer ; but he kept at it for some few minutes 
until he stopped abruptly. David almost flew over his 



io 4 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

head. The horse stood stock still, his sides working like 
a bellows. To his surprise, David found that he was 
very tired also, and that there had been some exercise 
in keeping his seat, despite the wondrously smooth 
gait. 

" Where am I ? " he wondered, looking about him. 
" If I could ride to the top of the hill there I could 
get the direction." 

He chirped to his steed, but the latter did not 
move. Again he tried his voice, and at last in despera- 
tion dug his heels into the beast's ribs. How Midship- 
man Farragut managed to hold on during what followed 
for the next few minutes was more than he could re- 
member. It seemed that he was most of the time in 
the air with his arms clasped about the animal's neck, 
and that the latter was trying to fly and intended to 
leave the earth for good and all. Apparently, however, 
he changed his mind, for he surrendered at last, and 
David guided him to the top of the hill. 

He expected that here he could get a glimpse to 
the westward of the sea ; but, once on top, nothing but 
a succession of barren hills spread out on either side. 
Then he noticed that at the end of the ravine up 
which he had been riding a thin column of smoke was 
rising leisurely. He turned the horse's head in that 
direction, and the latter with a snort broke out into a 
run. 

Inside of three minutes he halted before a little hut 
built of stone. From the chimney the smoke was pour- 



A SAILOR ON HORSEBACK. 105 

ing. A man with a great black beard came to the 
door. What he said, David, of course, could not under- 
stand, but he only remembered the name of the gen- 
tleman who had given him the mount on his strangely 
acting animal. 

" Senor del Serrano," he said. 

The man bowed low and came to David's stirrup. 
The latter was glad enough to reach the ground 
again. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE ARRIVAL OF THE ENEMY. 

By signs David succeeded in making the black- 
bearded man understand that he was lost and that he 
wished to return to Senor del Serrano's hacienda. It 
was evident that the owner of the hut had acquaint- 
ance with the horse, for while he was paying attention 
to David's gesticulations he was patting the beast 
caressingly on the neck and shoulder. 

David was becoming exasperated at the apparent 
stupidity of the fellow, when he heard a shout down 
the ravine, and he saw approaching Senor del Serrano 
and the midshipmen. The senor was profuse in his 
apologies and apparently was much relieved to see his 
young guest safe and sound. It appeared that the 
horse had once belonged to the man who lived in the 
little hut, and that on another occasion previous to this 
he had brought him rather an unwilling visitor. 

The party headed about, and in an hour or so were 
once more in the courtyard of the villa. At dinner the 
midshipmen were presented to the senor's two sisters, 
black-eyed, black-haired young women, whose age it 
was hard to guess, for they might have been any- 

106 



THE ARRIVAL OF THE ENEMY. 107 

where between eighteen and thirty. They were gra- 
cious and gentle-mannered, and soon the lads were at 
their ease. 

Del Montigo proved to be an Englishman whose real 
name was Montague. He tried to be very agreeable, and 
asked any number of questions in regard to the Essex's 
cruise. The confusion of the boys was great when he 
declared with a rather sarcastic smile that he now 
understood the reason of not hearing from one or two 
of the prizes which the Essex had taken, and the mid- 
shipmen found out to their surprise that he was a part 
owner of the two captured vessels. 

From what he said they gathered that those holding 
the English interests were soon expecting the arrival 
of some British warships at the station, but as this had 
been the first news that had greeted Captain Porter 
upon his arrival at Valparaiso, they were not sur- 
prised. 

Later in the evening guitars were brought out, and 
the midshipmen enjoyed watching one of the native 
dances ; early the next morning they left for town. Be- 
fore ten o'clock they were once more on shipboard. 

They found that the same stories of the hospitality 
of the Chilians were being recounted from cabin to 
forecastle, and that the officers were talking about giv- 
ing an entertainment on board the flagship in the 
course of the next few days. 

The time passed very quickly. Senor del Serrano 
paid a visit to the ship, and Mr. " Del Montigo " also. 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGU V. 

The midshipmen noticed that the latter paid particular 
attention to the armament and to the Dumber ot guns 
of the vessel, and asked innumerable questions, but. as 
was no reason for secrecy, these were replied to 
in as frank a manner as they were ventured. 

On the evening ot the ft h everything was in readi- 
ness for the ball. The spar deck was cleared, the awn- 
ing spread, and the ship was decorated with bunting 
and colored streamers. Lanterns wrapped in colored 
paper and cloth were strung along the sides, and trom 
the shore the Essex looked more like a huge pleas- 
ure yacht than a man-of-war. 

The Essex, Jr., had been warped close to the side ot 
her larger consort, and until long past midnight the 
strains ot' the guitars and the orchestra from shore swept 
out across the bay. Innumerable small boats surrounded 
the two vessels, and members oi all the prominent 
families, including the midshipmen's kind host and his 
sisters, were present at the dance. 

As soon as the last boat load ot merry makers had 
lett for the shore, Captain Porter hailed the Essex, Jr.. 
and ordered her to get under way and make tor the 
mouth ot the harbor, where Downes was to resume 
the position of sentry and report the appearance ot 
any suspicious sail. 

At early dawn the Essex, Jr., was seen flying a sig- 
nal telling the news that two vessels were in sight. 
Instantly the word Hashed through the flagship. Halt 
of the crew had been given shore leave and the rest 



THE ARRIVAL OF THE KNKMY. 109 



were employed in clearing up the litter and remains of 
last night's revelry. 

There was a slight breeze blowing, and above the 
point of land to the westward the topsails of two ves- 
sels could be made out very plainly ; the strangers 
were beating slowly toward the mouth of the harbor. 

David, who was gathering up a line of gay streamers 
and bunting, was ordered to the color halyards. 

" Signal Mr. Downcs to return, sir," was the order. 

But, as if in anticipation, the Essex, Jr., was already 
making baek into the harbor. Captain Porter ordered 
a gun to be fired as a signal to the Essex's crew on 
shore to repair to their vessel. 

Evidently from the heights behind the town the two 
mysterious sails had been sighted, and the signal gun 
had called hundreds of the inhabitants to the water- 
front. Lining the wharves, the sailors of the Essex 
could be seen waiting impatiently for the boats to take 
them off. At last, as if they could stand it no longer, 
the men jumped into some of the small craft and pad- 
dled with anything they could reach back to the ship. 
Three Jack-tars, who were quite a distance up the shore 
and had evidently been back into the country, did not 
wait for boats at all, but, throwing off their shoes, 
sprang into the bay and struck out boldly for their 
vessel. 

In the meantime Porter had called away his gig, 
and David had been ordered to accompany him on 
board the Essex, Jr. As soon as they shoved off, the 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



men laid back to their work and the boat lifted at 
every stroke. Lieutenant Downes hove-to to wait their 
coming. 

It was very evident, as Captain Porter and David 
scrambled up the ship's side, that the Essex, Jr.'s crew 
were under great excitement. They were talking to- 
gether earnestly in low voices. After a minutes conver- 
sation the captain, wishing to make a personal reconnoitre 
of the approaching vessels, ordered Lieutenant Downes 
to put to sea again. 

David wandered forward, and to his delight found 
old Kingsbury, now a boatswain, making two strides of 
it between the carronades on the forecastle. 

" Oh, Mr. Farragut," he said, " it's a different kind of 
dancing and to other music we will be stepping, to my 
mind, before long, sir. Those are the vessels that King 
George has been at pains to send out for us, I take it, 
and look a' here, sir ; I have seen sailormen and been 
one all my life, but I never seed a crew so full of fight 
as ours. They're itchiti to be at it, sir." 

He stopped for a moment and looked at the flagship. 
She was now almost surrounded by small boats that had 
put off from shore. The men were scrambling in at the 
ports — in fact anywhere, to get on board ; the lines 
of streamers had disappeared. They could see the 
ports drop and the guns run in for sponging and 
loading. 

" That's the best crew, sir, that ever stepped a deck," 
Kingsbury concluded. 



THE ARRIVAL OF THE ENEMY. in 

A thrill of pride ran through David's veins. " And 
the best officers, too, Kingsbury," he remarked. 

" Aye, aye, sir, you speak God's truth," the old man 
answered. " Look at old Logan — beg pardon, sir — I 
mean the captain. What is it they say in the good book 
about the ' war horse scenting battle from afar ' ? — 
That's what he is, Mr. Farragut — he's a war horse, sir, 
and no mistake ! " 

The Essex, Jr., had gathered a good headway by this 
time and was close to the mouth of the harbor. The 
wind was against the two vessels in the offing, and it 
would be some hours before they gained the inner 
waters. But there was no mistaking what they were. 
The square cut of the sails, the long, distinct line of ports, 
and the steady lift and gleam of the black muzzles of 
the guns, showed that here at last King George's hounds 
had found their quarry. 

" Both frigates, sir, I think," called Lieutenant 
Downes from the futtock shrouds, as he lowered his 
glass. 

" Johnny Bulls, too," murmured Kingsbury beneath 
his breath. 

Orders were given to bring the ship about, and soon 
before the wind she was making back to the anchorage. 
It had only been an hour and a few minutes over, since 
Porter had gone on board the smaller vessel. David 
followed him into the gig and they returned to the 
Essex. A transformation scene had been enacted. 
There were no traces of the confusion that only a 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



short time before had held full sway. The guns were 
loaded and run out. The cutlasses had been distributed. 
The men were waiting at their stations ; even the deck 
had been sanded, and the doctors had stretched the 
tables below in the cockpit. 

Lieutenant McKnight stepped forward. 

" Have the men all reported ? " Porter asked. 

" Yes, sir, every one." 

"Clean and sober?" the captain asked again. 

" Not a drunken head among them," returned 
McKnight. " There's one lad who may have struck a 
rather lively gait, but, as he swam offshore, I made no 
notice of it. Perhaps he had been drinking." 

The men were evidently looking for some word 
from Captain Porter, and at last it came, short and to 
the point. 

" Seamen of the Essex," he said, " this is a neutral 
port, and it shall not be said in after-years that an 
American disgraced his country by not respecting the 
rights of another. We shall not fire first, but if they do, 
they will get what I believe we can give them — hon- 
orable treatment and an honorable thrashing." 

A wild cheer that started a commotion on shore 
was the answer. 

The Essex, Jr., had dropped anchor within half 
pistol shot. 

"What under the sun are they trying to do?" said 
Ogden to David as the two English vessels (for they 
had now displayed the cross of St. George) came 



THE ARRIVAL OF THE ENEMY. 



sweeping up the harbor. But before they had come 
within the distance of two miles a small boat had put 
off from shore and been taken up by the larger English- 
man. David would have been surprised if he had seen 
that the man who was assisted up the enemy's side 
was no other than his acquaintance, Mr. " Del Mon- 
tigo." 

On came the English vessels. Porter had given 
orders to prepare for boarding and had rigged grap- 
nels at the yardarms, ready to drop them on the 
enemy's decks should he approach close enough to 
warrant it ; and now it looked like fight. 

By a little after eight o'clock, the leading vessel, a 
frigate, had approached so close that the faces of the 
men peering through the portholes could be distin- 
guished. The second vessel had proved to be a sloop 
of war, and was close in the wake of the first. 

The frigate swung close alongside and ranged up be- 
tween the Essex and the Essex, Jr. All hands were at 
quarters, and on board the English vessel it was seen 
that the matches were lighted also, for the thin smoke 
eddied through the ports. Not a whisper was 
heard. 

David had gone down to the gun deck in obedience 
to a request from Lieutenant McKnight to follow him. 
A red-faced youth was bending forward close to one of 
the midship guns, a lighted match in his hand. He was 
blowing it fiercely and fairly trembling with anger or 
excitement. Suddenly his feelings appeared to get the 



ii 4 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

better of him, for he jumped to his feet and sprang to 
the breech of the gun. 

" I'll stop your making faces, my fine fellow ! " he 
cried with a curse. 

Just in time Lieutenant McKnight saw the movement 
and, drawing back his fist, sprawled the fellow on the 
deck. The master at arms took him by the collar and 
gave him a push down the hatchway. It is well be- 
lieved that had this lad (who was the one that had 
been drinking) fired the gun, the Phcebe (her name was 
now well known) would have been a hulk in short order. 
She was so close and in such a fair position for raking 
that the double-shotted broadsides of the Essex would 
have ripped her from stem to stern. 

Lieutenant McKnight and David hastened up to the 
spar deck. There was dead silence here — the same om- 
inous quiet as there was below. Captain Porter had 
mounted a gun carriage, and looking through the com- 
panion way, David saw that a tall man in a pea-jacket was 
also standing breast-high above the bulwarks on the 
quarter-deck of the enemy. With a show of ceremony 
the Englishman lifted his hat. He did not have to raise 
his voice for every word to be heard plainly and dis- 
tinctly. 

" Captain Hillyar's compliments to Captain Porter, 
and hopes he is well," were the words he spoke. 

Porter was swinging his trumpet by the cord on 
his forefinger. He replied quietly in a firm, determined 
voice. 



THE ARRIVAL OF THE ENEMY. 115 

" Very well, I thank you, but I hope you are not 
coming nearer, for fear some accident might take place 
which would be disagreeable to you." 

He waved his trumpet, and, with the clicking of the 
blocks, the kedge anchors swung out from the deck 
and went up to the yardarms. Instantly the Phoebe 
braced back her yards hurriedly and Captain Hillyar 
in a careless and indifferent manner said : 

" Oh, sir, I have no intention of going on board of 
you ! " 

" Well," cried Porter in answer, " you have no busi- 
ness where you are. If you touch a rope yarn of this 
ship I shall board you instantly ! " 

Then he raised his trumpet and called across 
the other's deck to the little namesake vessel, the Es- 
sex, Jr. 

" Mr. Downes," he shouted, " be prepared to repel 
boarders and aim your guns ! " 

The headway of the Phoebe had slowly ceased. She 
backed down, the tips of her yards passed over those 
of the Essex without touching a rope, and she swung 
astern. It was seen then that the Essex was much 
smaller ; but, nevertheless, had not Porter respected the 
neutrality of the Chilian harbor, the Phoebe would have 
been at his mercy. 

The chance had gone. There was a sense of relief 
and yet of disappointment in which all hands shared. A 
sound like a huge sigh went through the ship when the 
strain was passed. The men stepped on their matches to 



n6 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



put them out, and the officers grouped together on the 
forecastle, talking in low tones. 

The English sloop of war also came about and 
anchored within hailing distance close to the other 
frigates. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

SKIRMISHINGS. 

" Mr. Farragut, you will accompany me on shore 
this morning-," said Commodore Porter to David as the 
latter stood alongside the cabin table. The sunlight 
that was coming in the after-ports gleamed along the 
chases of two cannon that made up part of the furniture. 

Porter had just finished his breakfast. An opened 
note lay beside his coffee cup. 

" You will put on your best uniform and go with 
me to the house of Mr. Blanco. I believe that I am 
to have the honor of meeting my old friend Captain 
Hillyar." 

It was well known and had often been talked about 
through the ship that Hillyar and Porter had once been 
friends, and that the latter, before the outbreak of the 
war, had done the English captain some service by 
taking on board his family and bringing them in his 
own vessel from Malta to Gibraltar. Their relations had 
always been of the most kindly character. It was 
a strange fate that had picked them out for antag- 
onists. 

" See that the men are in clean blue and white, and 

9 117 



n8 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

get out a new boat flag, Mr. Farragut," Porter con- 
tinued. 

David, saluting, hurried from the cabin at once. 

He passed Lieutenant Cowel and Lieutenant Mc- 
Knight entering. They were laughing — laughter which 
was echoed a moment later from the deck above. 
David heard the sound of singing — a chorus of men's 
voices bawling the following verse to the tune of 
Yankee Doodle : 

Oh, Johnny Bull, you've followed far, 

We'll do our best to lick you ; 
Our eagle brave will twist your tail, 

In proper fashion pick you. 

Running up into the sunlight, David saw a remark- 
able sight. Midshipmen Isaacs, Ogden, and Odenheimer 
were standing, with broad grins on their faces, watching 
the men in the forecastle ; they were gathered at the 
larboard bow and were being led in the chorus by no 
one less than old Kingsbury, who was for the nonce a 
visitor; his red face was redder than ever as he flourished 
his hand and beat time to the chorus : 

The lion hears the eagle scream, 

And thinks he's surely caught, sir ; 
But we will see what we will see — 
The lion shall be taught, sir ! " 

Then followed a confusion of Yankee Doodle 
and a mumble of words that ended in a roar of 
laughter. 

Overhead at the main truck a huge flag was flying, 



SKIRMISHINGS. 119 



and on the white ground was the motto in blue letters, 
" Free Trade and Sailors' Rights." 

A sudden silence fell in the forecastle. Their song 
had been answered by an indignant shout from the 
decks of the Phoebe. The two vessels were within ear- 
shot, and so close that the buttons of an officer on the 
quarter-deck of the latter could almost be counted as 
they flashed brightly in the sunlight. 

The silence of the Yankee sailors had been occasioned 
by seeing a white bundle slowly creeping up to the 
main truck of the Phoebe. It was evidently a flag of 
some sort. There Was a tug at the color halyards, and 
the bundle unfolded into a large white flag, even broader 
than the motto of the Essex. 

As the wind whipped it out straight and square the 
men could make out, rippling against the sky, the follow- 
ing legend in red letters : " God and Country. British 
Sailors' Best Rights ; Traders offend both." 

A cheer arose from the decks of the English ship, 
and mutterings of anger rumbled through the group of 
American seamen. 

" Here's Billy," shouted some one. A huge figure 
loomed up the forward hatchway. " Pumpkin Billy " 
had joined the crew of the Essex but had not been 
much in evidence, owing to a broken ankle that had 
kept him below. 

" Talk to them, Billy," said some one, making 
room for the red-headed Yankee to reach the ship's 
side. 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



The man grinned, and, drawing a long breath, sent 
that wonderful voice of his out into space. 

" Take down jour dish rag ! " he shouted. 

The men laughed, and a chorus of curses was the 
response from the Englishmen. 

Captain Porter at this juncture came out of the 
cabin. The smile faded out of his face as he saw the 
motto of the English flag. 

" That's an insult," he said angrily, " a deliberate in- 
sult to our brave fellows." As he went down the side 
into the gig, a boat put out from beneath the Phcebe's 
quarter. In the stern sheets sat three or four officers, 
and the crew of the Essex's gig, as they " let fall," 
looked over their shoulders. The oars caught the water 
with a single thump in the rowlocks. 

" Give it to them, lads ! " said Lieutenant McKnight, 
who, with Mr. Wilmer and Lieutenant Wilson and the 
captain, sat on the cushions of the gig. 

The oars bent and the gig jumped forward ; the 
blades flashed in and out, and the breaths of the men 
pulling, sounded together, deep and full. Every muscle 
showed on the brawny backs beneath the clean white 
shirts. 

They crept up on the English gig as if she were 
standing- still. Several of her crew had missed their 
stroke and they were evidently in no such practice or 
condition as the Americans. They plashed badly, and 
one of the officers cursed them loudly as a half bucket- 
ful of water came rattling into the stern sheets. 



SKIRMISHINGS. 



Another dozen strokes and the boats were abreast. 
A grin was on the faces of the Americans and a cheer 
broke out from the deck of the Essex, which was an- 
swered by a howl of derision from the Phcebe. 

Lieutenant McKnight leaned forward. 

" Look at our men," he said ; " if looks could kill, they 
would have eaten that crew, boat and all." 

" With a good-humored relish, too," Captain Porter 
added, looking over his shoulder. 

At the same time the English officers raised their 
hats and the salute was returned by the Americans. 
They exchanged curious glances. 

Never did David feel such a strange, nervous ten- 
sion. It was so odd, rowing peacefully along as though 
racing, when these very men would be dealing death 
and destruction to one another — yes, and before long. 

Porter's gig reached the landing first. The officers 
stepped ashore and the commander turned. 

" Men," he said, " I don't want a word exchanged 
with the crew of that boat. Back to your ship as soon 
as possible ! " 

The bowman pushed off just as the Phoebe's gig 
came dashing up toward shore. The men obeyed the 
letter of the order, but David, looking back, saw a curi- 
ous sight. Every man Jack of the Americans was pull- 
ing with one hand at the oar as the other boat passed, 
but the disengaged hand was held aloft and the thumb 
was placed at the tip of the nose. 

Had it not been for the presence of the officers the 



MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



Englishmen would have retorted in some manner, and 
mayhap a fine row would have started, in which oars 
and fists and boat-stretchers would have played conspicu- 
ous parts. 

Captain Hillyar was fuming with anger as he landed, 
and the rest of his party were in the same frame of 
mind. This was evident from their attitudes as they 
followed the American officers up the street. David 
glanced up at Commodore Porter's face ; he felt as if 
he were walking beside a powder mine. 

The American officers had been at Mr. Blanco's 
house, which was about half a mile from the landing 
place, some minutes before the English party arrived. 
Captain Hillyar and Captain Porter greeted each other 
with evident cordiality. The former introduced a hand- 
some, slender man who accompanied him as Captain 
Tucker, of the Cherub. 

After the usual civilities and a glass of wine, informal 
conversation was indulged in about the table. Porter 
inquired, in his usual method of coming directly to the 
point, with a half-smile on his face, if Captain Hillyar 
intended to recognize the neutrality of the port ; to 
which the latter replied with much emphasis and 
earnestness : 

" You have paid so much respect to the neutrality 
laws that I feel myself bound in honor to respect them 
also." 

" Then," said Porter, with a look of relief, " this 
assurance is sufficient. We can take our eyes off one 



SKIRMISHINGS. 123 



another, and I shall no longer feel it necessary to be 
always prepared for action." 

The conversation drifted to their former meeting in 
the Mediterranean. David, being a midshipman, was 
not noticed by anybody, and he sat there listening to 
the conversation, but of course taking no part in it. 

The meeting, however, was not over before some 
asperity was shown on both sides. David, who had 
been looking out of the window, noticed that Captain 
Porter's voice was rising, and he turned. 

" The motto on your flag, Captain Hillyar, is aimed 
directly at us." 

" So may our guns be," replied the Englishman. 

" Good ! " said Porter, bowing. " May they be an- 
swered ! " 

" A promise of much further conversation, Captain 
Porter." 

" But there are no traitors on board my ship." 

" It is a reply to your ' Free Trade and Sailors' 
Rights,' " said Hillyar, " which gives great offense to the 
British navy ; and whenever you hoist that, I shall not 
fail to hoist the other." 

Porter was getting angry. 

" The motto you refer to is intended to please our- 
selves and not to hurt the feelings of others." 

Hillyar shrugged his shoulders. 

But a minute later good humor seemed to have 
been restored, and they parted with expressions of 
mutual pleasure at having met again. 



i2 4 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

As they went through the companion way when they 
returned to the ship, Porter, who had not spoken after 
leaving the house, ordered David to find the sail maker 
and send him at once to the cabin. This having been 
complied with, the rest of the afternoon was spent by 
the ship's tailors preparing a huge motto flag that was 
thrown to the breezes at daylight the next morning. 

" God, our Country and Liberty — Tyrants offend 
them ! " read the line against the clouds. 

Three cheers were given by the crew of the Phoebe, 
and returned by the Essex. 

The nervous tension that all hands had felt at first 
was wearing slowly away. The greeting of the crews of 
the vessels and the meeting of the officers on shore took 
on a more good-natured tone, although the songs and 
jokes still kept the men amused. 

Of course, it was seen that this state of affairs could 
not last long ; that sooner or later a movement would be 
made which would precipitate the long-expected action. 
All sorts of rumors and talk were rife. 

Midshipman Ogden had heard the officers talking in 
the wardroom one day, and hastened down into the 
steerage, his face ablaze with news. 

" Do you know, the old man " (it was Captain Porter 
who was referred to in this irreverent manner) "told 
Hillyar if he sent away the Cherub he would go out 
and fight him in the Essex?" 

" Well ? " interjected Midshipman Farragut anx- 
iously. 



SKIRMISHINGS. 125 



" And the Englishman refused," went on Ogden. 
" He said he would take no risk when he had us on 
the hip." 

" I don't believe we will ever get at it," put in 
Midshipman Isaacs, " unless something stirs them up." 

Something did stir them up in the course of the next 
few days. The ringleaders among the prisoners in the 
conspiracy at Nukahiva had been kept in close confine- 
ment on board the flagship. One of these men, accused 
of a plot to poison, managed in some way to free him- 
self, rushed to the side and plunged overboard. Be- 
fore a boat could be launched, a passing English cut- 
ter picked him up and took him on board the Phcebe. 

Some rather bitter correspondence now passed be- 
tween the two commanders. Soon the friendly inter- 
course must be broken if such things continued. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE APPROACHING CONFLICT. 

The morning following the rescue of the escaped 
prisoner the Phcebe and Cherub hoisted their anchors 
under cover of the darkness and stood for the mouth 
of the harbor. At daybreak they were seen cruising 
to and fro, maintaining a patrol of the entrance. 

The Phoebe, which was the farther out, began to 
fly little signal flags, and soon the Cherub answered. 

Lieutenant McKnight was watching them through 
the glass. A man who swung aloft painting the top- 
gallant mast shouted something down on deck. What 
he said was caught by one of the quartermasters, who 
came running aft. 

" The man up aloft says there's a sail out to seaward, 
sir." 

Porter happened to come out of his cabin at this 
moment. As usual, if there was anything to be done 
by the midshipmen, he called upon David to do it ; and 
soon the latter had scrambled up into the rigging. 

He could make out the topsails of a large ship off to 
the westward, and so reported. Immediately the Essex, 
Jr.. was ordered to set sail and to reconnoitre. 

126 



THE APPROACHING CONFLICT. 127 

All hands on the Essex gathered at the side to 
watch her leave. No sooner was she under way than 
the Phcebe and Cherub both spread their lighter sails 
and started after her; but they were well to leeward, and 
so long as the wind held, Downes could have kept 
them at a distance. But winds are fickle, and after 
half an hour had passed a cry went up from the fore- 
castle. The group of midshipmen gasped. 

The Englishmen had squared away and had got the 
wind (it had changed three or four points) astern. 

"They will head her off!" was the cry which arose 
from the forecastle. 

It was an anxious moment. Lieutenant Downes had 
evidently seen his position and had turned his vessel's 
prow back to the haven of safety ; the offshore breeze in 
the new direction held only a few minutes, when it fell 
dead calm. But the Englishmen were not to be cheated 
of their prey. They lowered their boats and, getting 
out hawsers, were attempting to tow their vessels into 
gunshot range. 

Porter had commenced to give his orders. All the 
cutters and even the longboat of the Essex were soon 
alongside, and the crews tumbled into them. David had 
command of the second cutter. The starboard stroke 
was Pumpkin Billy, and the man on the thwarts along- 
side of him was the black cook, who was a volunteer for 
the occasion. It was a race for rescue and a good three- 
mile pull ahead. The perspiration poured down the 
men's faces. The oars bent at every stroke and the 



128 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

cutters forged ahead. The cook was a great oarsman, 
and in Pumpkin Billy he had his mate. 

" You're gaining on them, lads," said David, standing 
up and shouting encouragement. 

The negro turned his head. The sunlight flashed on 
the gold rings in his ears. He broke out into a swing- 
ing song. It was a relic of the paddling choruses of his 
ancestors on the Congo. The men got the rhythm, and 
soon David's cutter was leading the rest. Every minute 
counted. As soon as they had reached the Essex, Jr., 
hawsers were rigged and made fast to the stern thwarts, 
and the men slowly towed her in toward the shore. 

The Englishmen were rowing almost abreast of them 
now, but far beyond range, and soon, seeing that the 
chase was fruitless, they took in their boats and gave it 
up, and Lieutenant Downes resumed his old anchorage. 

The strange sail proved to be a storeship of the 
English, and she anchored far out in the harbor. 

Two days later the Essex got under way and, taking 
advantage of having the enemy to leeward, sailed into 
the offing. If it had been Porter's intention to escape, 
now would have been his time, for it was soon evident 
that he could outsail his antagonists in any wind or 
weather ; but escape was not what he wanted. As old 
Kingsbury had said, the " war horse " wished to fight. 
So, having settled the matter of sailing to his satisfaction, 
he put back again, and taking up one of the prizes, the 
Hector, he again made for the harbor's mouth. Here 
he set the prize on fire and again returned to the 



THE APPROACHING CONFLICT. 129 

port. This was on the afternoon of the 26th of the 
month. 

The following day was full of excitement. 

Angered at the burning of the prize under their 
very noses, the Phcebe and Cherub stood boldly into 
the harbor. At five o'clock in the afternoon the Phcebe 
hove to and fired a gun. There was not a man on 
board the Essex that did not interpret this as a challenge 
to single and mortal combat between the larger ships. 
Cheer after cheer was given as the Essex's anchor rose 
and she spread her sails. Now in the minds of the mid- 
shipmen there was no doubt that they were to see a 
battle, and the excitement that had been so long smol- 
dering rose to fever heat. 

Nearer and nearer the vessels came, the Phcebe stand- 
ing offshore and the Essex creeping up on her, foot after 
foot, her men at the guns eager to get within range. 

The gun's crews had named the great weapons they 
served " Bouncing Billy," " Hawley's Pet," " Jumping 
Jack," " Saucy Sal," and the like. 

David's station in action was close to Captain Porter. 
He was to act as messenger and carry orders to vari- 
ous parts of the ship. Having been sent forward, he 
caught some of the talk of the men. Pumpkin Billy 
slapped caressingly the breech of one of the great car- 
ronades. One might have thought that he was talking 
to a restive horse. 

" Can't hold her in very much longer, Mr. Farragut," 
he said, grinning. " She is gettin' restive." 



130 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 



He patted " Brown Bess," and laid his cheek against 
the cold, unresponsive iron, but a shout of disappoint- 
ment came from the deck above. 

The Phcebe had borne away before the wind and had 
run down to the Cherub, which had sailed out to meet 
her. Porter had not bargained to fight both vessels, 
and so for the third time the men were disappointed — 
the Essex swung about on her heel and returned to her 
resting place. 

And thus it continued as it had been before — weary 
days of waiting and nothing done. 

One night a boat expedition had been organized, and 
the men, under cover of the darkness, had approached 
close enough to the British vessels to hear the talk on 
board. As it was evident that the crew were lying on 
their arms, the cutting-out party rowed back. 

Grumbling had now commenced forward in the 
forecastle. 

" We will leave our bones here," one of the sailors 
was overheard to remark. 

" Aye, mates, the war may be over and we not know 
it," said another. 

The midshipmen also caught the feeling of despond- 
ency, and feared they should never come to action. But 
the prognostication of the foremast hand and the fore- 
bodings in the steerage were soon to be proved wrong, 
and the midshipmen of the Essex were to be witnesses 
and active participants in one of the greatest tragedies of 
naval history. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

MISFORTUNE. 

News had arrived at Valparaiso that three other ves- 
sels of war had sailed for the Pacific in pursuit of the 
" marauder," as Captain Porter had been termed. Their 
appearance was expected at any moment, and at last, to 
his disappointment, the American commander deter- 
mined that it was useless to try to bring the Phcebe 
to single combat. 

The Essex, Jr., was no match for the Cherub, and he 
determined to slip away and escape immediately. A 
meeting place was agreed on, where Lieutenant Downes 
was to join him later, if possible ; and everything was 
made ready to take advantage of a favorable opportunity 
and get out of the harbor. The 28th of March had 
arrived, and it was only the previous evening that the 
determination had been formed to put to sea. 

The wind had been freshening all the day and had 
blown, for the first time in months, what might be 
called half a gale. Odenheimer was on the watch. He 
was the oldest of the midshipmen, and had been acting 
lieutenant now for some time. He stopped his pacing 



i 3 2 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

up and down the quarter-deck and stood still as a 
statue. 

" What's the matter, Odenheimer — I mean, Mr. Oden- 
heimer?" asked David, noticing the action. 

" Come here, youngster," was the answer ; " take a 
sight on that first ratline, and the white house on the 
shore." 

He pointed with his finger, which was trembling a 
little nervously. " Are we moving ? " he questioned in 
a whisper. 

David looked. Slowly but surely the Essex was 
going backward. She had already two anchors out, 
but it was hard bottom and the wind was increasing 
every minute. 

" We are moving," said David, " and dragging 
fast ! " 

" Jump below and tell Captain Porter," Odenheimer 
said. 

David ran into the cabin rather unceremoniously. 
The captain was writing at the table. He looked up. 
" Well, sir ? " he said. 

" We have started both our anchors, and are going 
out to sea, Captain Porter." 

Instantly the commander sprang to his feet and 
rushed out on deck. He began shouting orders as 
soon as he reached the air. Not a moment was to be 
lost in making sail. The men scrambled aloft, and cut- 
ting one anchor, the Essex tripped the other, and circled 
around heading for the mouth of the harbor. All the 



MISFORTUNE. 133 



other moments of excitement were as nothing compared 
to those which followed now. The enemy were close 
in, at the point that made out from the west side of the 
bay. There was only one thing to do, and that was to 
pass to windward. 

The topgallant sails were taken in and the single- 
reefed topsails were braced about. The frigate dashed 
along, the rising seas thumping great blows against her 
bows and dashing spray and scattering showers along 
the deck. 

" Hurrah, Mr. Wilmer, we are outpointing them ! " ex- 
claimed Captain Porter, looking at the two Englishmen, 
who were carrying all the sail they could possibly 
stagger under. 

David was clinging to the shrouds. They were off 
for home ! This was no expedition to test the sailing, 
or to lure the other one to combat. They were legging 
it for life and freedom. 

Crash ! A noise like the explosion of half a broad- 
side sounded from aloft. 

A heavy squall that had been whitening the water 
and that had been seen approaching struck the ship. 
The topmast carried away, and the men on the yards 
went off over the side — all hope gone with them. The 
Essex was now heeling over badly, and it was almost im- 
possible to keep the deck, but axes were plied vigor- 
ously to cut away the wreckage and to right her. 

Porter endeavored to put about and to reach the 
harbor, but at last he gave this up. Closer and closer 



i 3 4 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

the British ships were approaching. The top-hamper 
had fallen inboard and the yards refused to swing about 
properly. There was nothing for it but to get before 
the wind and run as close inshore as possible. 

It was a question whether they could reach neutral 
waters or not before the Phcebe would be upon them. 
The men worked like demons, and soon had cleared 
matters up in such a way that the Essex, even in her 
crippled condition, ran as fast as her antagonist, and led 
the way into a small bay about three quarters of a mile 
from a shore battery. Porter let go his anchor within 
pistol shot of the shore, and the men, busy as bees, went 
about repairing damages. 

It was hoped that the English would respect the 
neutrality of the country, and the fact that the Essex 
had placed herself under Chilian protection, but such, 
unfortunately, was not the case. 

As the Phcebe and Cherub came down they were 
covered with motto flags and flew jacks at every mast- 
head. Porter was now ripping out torrents of orders 
and imprecations. But he seemed to have an eye on 
everything. 

" They are going to be at us in fifteen minutes ! " he 
shouted. " Get a spring on the cable, boatswain ! We 
can't use our broadside here." 

The men were at work at this when a puff of smoke 
rolled from the Phoebe's counter. 

David Farragut, midshipman, was now to go through 
the test of blood and flame. He had passed an open 



MISFORTUNE. 135 



port in time to see that first white billowing smoke with 
a dash of red flame in the midst. 

Then there came a crash at his side and a great white 
splinter jumped out from the bulwarks. It caught a 
seaman full in the throat and hurled him off across the 
deck, lifeless. Another man staggered toward the 
hatchway, the blood spurting from a wound in his head. 
He tripped on the combing and plunged to the deck 
below with a horrid sound. 

Now, confusion at first seemed to reign ; for full five 
minutes the Essex could not reply. But at last the 
guns flared on every hand, and those below started the 
decks trembling and jumping. Hoarse orders were 
shouted. The air grew thick with stifling, sulphurous 
smoke. Now and then a block fell from aloft, and 
the loose end of a rope trailed down and swung to 
the deck. 

There was one thing that struck David as a strange 
thing. When that death-dealing first shot was fired he 
had seen Captain Porter take his watch quietly from his 
pocket and note the time. The lieutenants were bawl- 
ing orders and the captains of the guns were shouting 
to the frantically working crews. These were the first 
moments of battle before the men get settled down to 
that fierce steadiness from which emerges victory or 
well-contested combat. 

David had reached Captain Porter's side. He had 
noticed, before the smoke obscured everything, that 
three flags were flying in the mizzen rigging and that 



136 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

the motto " Free Trade and Sailors' Rights " had been 
thrown out at the foremast. 

The Phoebe had taken a position under the stern and 
the Cherub was on the starboard bow, and they were 
raking the Essex fearfully. 

The long, white splinters, sharp as the edges of a 
sword, were now common things to see, and screams 
and hoarse oaths arose on all sides. David's heart 
stopped as he saw two seamen bend over and pick a 
figure up from the deck. They stumbled toward the 
after-hatch. The midshipman saw that their burden was 
poor Lieutenant Wilmer. He was mangled frightfully. 
" It's all up with me, David, lad," he said as they carried 
him past. 

David looked at Captain Porter's face to see if he 
had noticed it. He appeared to notice nothing but the 
way his ship was handled and the manner in which she 
was replying to the fire of the enemy. He was grinding 
his teeth together and occasionally shot an order across 
the deck through his trumpet fiercely. 

During all this confusion the boatswain, Linscott, 
and three men were over at the side in a small boat 
trying to make fast a spring on the cable. At last they 
succeeded, and the Essex, answering to the tugging of 
the capstan, swung so as to bring her guns to bear to 
better advantage. A cheer sounded from the close, 
reeking deck below, for the breeze had blown the 
smoke over the water, and it was seen that the Cherub 
was finding: out that it was too hot for her where she 



MISFORTUNE. 137 



was lying. One of her yards was crippled ; she tried to 
spread her sails and get away. 

David had overcome his horror now. Though he 
kept near the captain, he was assisting in serving one of 
the after-guns. He handed the powder up as the gun 
was run in, and even on one occasion he took up the 
match that had been dropped and fired the piece him- 
self. 

It all appeared to him like a dream. Then his 
nerves grew steady. 

" Mr. Farragut ! " he heard his name called, and ran 
to the captain, who was just abaft the mainmast. What 
he was going to say David did not hear, for at that in- 
stant a shot came through the waterways and, glancing 
upward, killed four men within a few feet distance. 
Porter and the midshipman were deluged with blood. 

Little Isaacs here ran up from below. He was bare- 
headed and his face was grimy and black. The hand 
he lifted to his forehead in salute was red, and the 
sleeve of his little jacket was in shreds from the shoul- 
der. Porter had to bend to listen to what the lad was 
saying. 

"Mr. Colwell has been killed, sir," he said, "and 
Kennedy, the boatswain's mate, has lost both legs." 

Porter stood for a moment with his hand resting on 
Isaac's shoulder. The lad was shouting : 

" And there's a quarter-gunner down there named 
Roach who has deserted his post ! He says he will not 
fight longer. What shall we do?" 



1 38 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

Porter turned to David, and, to the latter's astonish- 
ment, the order he received he took as if it were the 
most matter-of-fact thing in the world. Porter reached 
in his belt and extended a pistol. 

" Go below, sir ; find this man, and do your duty ! " 
Porter said sternly. 

It must have been a strange sight to see the little 
midshipman, with the great pistol in his hand, step- 
ping among the dead and wounded on the deck and 
inquiring everywhere if any one had seen Roach ; but, 
search high and low, he could not find him, and once 
more he made his way up to the freer air and re- 
ported. 

The two after-guns, which were now among the few 
that could be brought to bear, had ceased firing. The 
powder monkey who had been serving them was 
stretched below in the cockpit, and the guns had no 
primers. David ran below, intending to go to the maga- 
zine and fetch them. As he ran down the wardroom 
ladder the captain of the gun at the port directly oppo- 
site was struck by an eight-pound shot. It hurled him 
backward with such force that his body fell against the 
midshipman, and the two came down to the foot of the 
ladder together. David lay there stunned. At last he 
regained consciousness and rushed up on deck. Porter 
saw him covered with fresh blood. 

" David, son," he cried out anxiously, extending both 
his hands, " are you wounded ? " 

" I believe not, sir," said David, steadying himself by 



MISFORTUNE. 139 



the aid of a belaying pin. Then he remembered 
for what he had gone below, and without another 
word he hastened to the magazine and brought back 
the primers. Soon the after-guns were growling 
steadily. 

As David turned for a minute, he saw that Captain 
Porter was lying on the deck. He ran to him and lifted 
one of his hands. Porter looked up. 

" Are you hurt, sir? Are you hurt?" David asked, 
a sob breaking his voice. 

" Something struck me on the head," the captain re- 
plied, getting on his feet. 

His cocked hat, crushed into an indistinguishable 
object, was lying in the scuppers. 

The spring that the boatswain had got upon the 
cable had been shot away now for the third time, but 
such good work were the after-guns doing that both 
the Phcebe and the Cherub hauled off to repair dam- 
ages and ceased their fire. 

The breeze swept away the smoke toward the shore 
and it drifted close to the water across the mouth of a 
small inlet. 

It was seen then that the heights of land were 
crowded with people watching the contest. But the 
attention of all on board was soon brought back to the 
English ships again. The Phoebe, leading, and the 
Cherub close astern of her, came down once more in 
silence and renewed the attack, choosing their positions 
slowly. Captain Porter was almost frantic now. From 



140 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

w 'here the enemy was he could not bring a single gun to bear 
upon either ship ! 

David stood at his side. He looked back at the 
deck. Two big men, standing- by one of the useless 
guns, were sobbing with anger and vexation ; before he 
knew it, David was sobbing also. To stand by idly was 
something awful, and it was a welcome relief when 
Captain Porter's voice rang out : 

" Cut that cable ! All hands make sail ! We'll close 
with them, the cowards ! " he thundered. 

The flying jib was the only sail that could be raised. 
Every other serviceable rope was shot away. 

As the wind caught the rag of a sail the crippled 
Essex bravely came down upon the other ships and 
burst into a roar that almost seemed like exultation as 
she brought her guns to bear again and returned the 
deadly thrusts. 

The smoke now hung so close about the three vessels 
that accurate gunnery was almost impossible. From 
the shore only the upper spars could be seen ; but the 
tongues of brilliant red that leaped through the white, 
obscuring cloud, and the continuous thundering and 
roaring of the guns, showed that deadly work was 
being done. 

Captain Tucker, of the Cherub, concluded to choose 
his distance ; close quarters were not his style of fight- 
ing, and the sloop of war drew off. Porter ceased firing 
at the Cherub as she drifted out of range of his car- 
ronades. He devoted all his attention to the Phoebe, 




u 



d, 



MISFORTUNE. 141 



and for an instant it was hoped that he might 
get close enough to board. But Tucker had now- 
got the range of the Essex with his long eighteen- 
pounders. At a safe distance he shot gun after 
gun, slowly, deliberately, as if he were at target 
practice. At every steady report there was a crash, 
and a shower of splinters on the Essex's defenseless 
side. 

Now Porter's hope of boarding the Phoebe disap- 
peared. She apparently determined to adopt the same 
tactics as her smaller consort, for she sailed off, and, 
choosing the proper distance, began firing slowly by 
divisions. Not a shot of the Essex could reach her. 
With some difficulty Porter wore ship and once more 
stood in toward the shore. He then ceased replying to 
the English vessels' fire entirely. It was his intention 
to ground his vessel, order the crew to save themselves, 
and set the brave old timbers afire. 

The Cherub had ceased her target practice for a 
time, and the Phoebe was firing only two of her bow 
guns alternately. Almost every puff and flash was an- 
swered by a shock of the torn hull, and many of the 
men employed in carrying the wounded from the slip- 
pery decks were killed. 

A strange remembrance came to David's mind. In 
his search for the cowardly gunner he had noticed two 
things. One was Murphy, the pig, squealing and run- 
ning hither and thither across the deck. The other sight 
was a seaman dragging himself on hands and elbows up 



i 4 2 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

the hatchway. He carried a pistol in his hand. Both 
his legs were crushed at the knees. 

" Where is he ? Where is he ? " he groaned. 

It was McColl, the captain of the gun next to 
Roach's, and the mangled sailor's quest was the same as 
David's. Woe betide the Essex's only coward if he 
had been caught ! 

The despair that filled all hearts almost took courage 
with it, as the breeze that had carried the frigate in to- 
ward shore shifted two or three points, and once more 
the poor Essex drifted into range of the enemy. 

But a sight that David never could forget now drew 
his attention. A boat was being pulled straight toward 
them across the harbor, passing within a quarter of a 
mile of the Phoebe. The men at the oars were hitting 
up the stroke as if it were a race of a hundred yards in- 
stead of a good mile pull that was before them. 

The man in the stern sheets was standing up, mo- 
tioning with his arms and swinging his body in time to 
the quick sweep of the oars. It almost seemed beyond 
human powers to keep such an exertion up for any 
length of time, but not once did it slacken. 

" Here comes Downes ! " shouted Captain Porter. 

There was no one near him to hear this cry but a 
little midshipman, quivering with excitement, blackened 
with powder and red with blood, holding himself with 
his face over the bulwarks, and his fingers twisted into 
the hammock nettings. Not an officer was in sight on 
the deck! 



MISFORTUNE. 143 



On came the cutter. The figure in the stern was now 
made out to be Lieutenant Downes himself. He had 
never ceased shouting encouragement from the time his 
boat had put out from the side of the Essex, Jr., lying 
up the harbor. 

Half a bushel of grape ripped up the water close be- 
hind him and a round shot cut directly in front, skip- 
ping along much as a stone thrown from a small boy's 
hand crosses a mill pond. The water rose in little foun- 
tain jets from every side, but not once did the sailors 
lessen their steady stroke. And now Lieutenant Downes 
was at the chains amidships. Followed by ten of the 
Essex, Jr.'s, crew, he jumped on deck. Porter met him 
as he climbed over the bulwarks. 

" What can I do, sir? " were Lieutenant Downes's first 
words. 

Porter could hardly find his voice, and David did not 
hear the reply he made to Lieutenant Downes's question, 
as he was ordered to see about the bending of a new 
hawser on the sheet anchor that was being prepared to 
let go in order to bring the ship's head around. 

The sea was nearly calm and the breeze was going 
down. The anchor plashed overboard, and the Essex, 
feeling the strain, swung about. The men on the gun 
deck fired three or four despairing shots. But no sooner 
had the hawser come taut, than there was a rending 
sound, and it parted at the bitts. 

To all this havoc another horror was added just 
at this moment. The sulphurous, choking smoke be- 



i 4 4 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

came strongly impregnated with an odor of burning 
wood. 

A man rushed up from below screaming shrilly. 
His words could hardly be distinguished, but one 
glance at him was enough. His trousers and jacket 
were aflame. 

" We're all on fire below ! " he cried. " It's near the 
magazine ! " 

He made one leap of it, and David, who followed to 
stop him, was just in time to see him go head first over 
the side into the water. 

Lieutenant Downes had left the ship, in pursuance 
of Captain Porter's orders, and was rowing back to 
the Essex, Jr., his boat loaded to the gunwales with 
the wounded. 

Even this was not respected, and the Phcebe opened 
fire upon him, luckily without result. 

Now the grimy, half-naked men were pouring up 
from below. A score of them followed the man who 
had gone overboard. 

The guns on the spar deck, slewed hither and thither, 
some of them dismounted and all silent, were deserted. 
Except for three figures standing near the mainmast, 
and a confused huddle on the forecastle, no one was to 
be seen. 

" Avast there ! Steady, men ! " roared a voice as two 
men ran up the after-hatch and leaped to the forecastle. 
The first, a huge figure stripped to the waist, felled one 
of the runaways to the deck. It was Pumpkin Billy! 



MISFORTUNE. 145 



His face did not look human. His features were indis- 
tinguishable ; the blood had run over his chin in a broad 
stream down his great muscular chest. His jaw was 
partly shot away, and he was making inarticulate sounds 
like the roar of a goaded bull. David had recognized 
the voice of the other man who had shouted. 

Old William Kingsbury, of the Essex, Jr.'s crew, had 
stayed on board to share the fate of his comrades ! One 
arm was supporting Pumpkin Billy on his feet. He was 
urging him to go below. The giant was shaking his 
head from side to side weakly. David approached, and 
when within almost an arm's length of the two men, a 
sharp splinter swept across the deck. Down went old 
Kingsbury and Pumpkin Billy, the latter never to rise 
again— pierced, javelin fashion, by a white-oak splinter. 
David, who had also fallen, but found himself un- 
wounded, assisted Kingsbury to rise. 

"Where is the captain, Mr. Farragut ? " he asked. 

Porter was not to be seen, but as David looked 
around, he saw him coming out of the cabin. The 
captain dropped formality. 

" David, my boy," he said, " call all the officers. We 
must strike our flag — God help us ! " 

Kingsbury, though badly wounded, followed David 
below. 

" All officers on quarter-deck ! " he shouted. 

There was no response. But one grimy figure came 
forward through the dense smoke. The crackling of 
the flames below could now be plainly heard. 



i 4 6 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

Lieutenant Stephen Decatur McKnight was the only 
officer left to answer the order ! His words, though 
calm, were full of terror: 

" We are all down by the head, Captain Porter, and 
sinking fast. The fire has eaten through the forward 
bulkhead, sir ! " 

" I can't watch it ! " sobbed old William Kingsbury, 
back on deck once more, and David also turned away 
his face. Down came the torn Yankee flag that had 
been flying at the peak. 

Whether by some mistake or not it is not known, 
but for some minutes afterward the Phcebe and Cherub 
kept up their fire. Four men who had come up from 
below and had not jumped overboard were killed 
after the Essex surrendered. Kingsbury received three 
more wounds ! 

" Hoist that flag again ! They mean to show us no 
quarter ! " shrieked Captain Porter. 

Lieutenant McKnight stepped to the halyards. But 
at this moment the firing ceased, and all was dead 
silence except for the wailing and groaning from below 
and the crackling of the flames, which, however, were 
being overcome by the water which had poured into 
the hold and by the brave men who were fighting it 
with buckets down in the stifling smoke. 

There is no use of giving a list of the killed and 
wounded. The action had lasted two hours and a half. 
Fifty-eight were killed, sixty-six wounded, and thirty-one 
were missing — probably drowned. The cockpit was so 



MISFORTUNE. 147 



filled with the maimed that there was no room even to 
place them, and they lay stretched across one another in 
a moaning huddle. 

A boat rowed out from the Phcebe, and a lieutenant 
came on board. 

Now, David was faint and felt like hiding his head in 
his arms and sobbing great dry sobs like a broken- 
hearted child. But, nevertheless, he was engaged in 
throwing overboard pistols and small arms. In this he 
was assisted by Midshipman Isaacs, who had been below 
during most of the action, and somehow had escaped 
being wounded. David also threw overboard the sig- 
nal book, weighted with lead, which he saw lying on the 
sill of a port. 

Porter had refused to give his sword up to the board- 
ing lieutenant, saying that it " was reserved for Captain 
Hillyar." 



CHAPTER XVII. 

THE FINALE. 

About 8 a. m., after the surrender, David and a num- 
ber of the prisoners were ordered on board the Phoebe. 
He clambered up the side, came on deck, and was 
shown into the steerage where the English midship- 
men were. Here he sought a corner, turned his back 
upon them, and hid his face in his hands. Suddenly 
he was aroused by hearing one of the young reefers 
call aloud : 

"A prize, ho! boys — a fine grunter, by Jove!" 

Under his arm as he entered was Murphy, the pig. 
David jumped to his feet. 

" That pig is mine. I claim him as my personal bag- 
gage, sir," he said. 

" Ah," said the midshipman, backing away, " you're a 
prisoner and your pig also." 

" We Americans always protect private property," 
David replied, and seized hold of poor Murphy by the 
tail. 

Immediately a ring was made around the two. 

" Go it, little Yankee ! " said a tall, light-headed young- 
ster, " and if you lick ' Shorty ' you can have your pig." 

148 



THE FINALE. 149 



Midshipman Farragut pulled off his torn coat, and 
hammer and tongs the two boys went at it. 

" Shorty," however, soon had enough, and, by unani- 
mous decision of the spectators, the squealing Murphy 
was delivered to his former owner. 

A marine looked into the steerage. 

" The captain wishes to see Mr. Farragut in the 
cabin," he said. 

David, with the aid of two chests, penned Murphy, 
so he could not get away, and then followed the marine 
to the cabin. 

Captain Porter was seated there at the table with 
Captain Hillyar. He was pale, and his face showed lines 
that had not been there a few days before. 

" Come and have some breakfast, my boy," said Cap- 
tain Hillyar, pleasantly. 

But David was too discomforted to eat, and declined 
with as much composure as he could. 

" Never mind, my little fellow," said Captain Hillyar, 
putting his hand kindly on his shoulder, " it will come 
your day some time, perhaps." 

The prisoners were all put on parole and went on 
shore, and for some weeks David worked as hospital as- 
sistant in attending the many wounded. 

At last arrangements were made for the transporta- 
tion of the crew to the United States in the Essex, Jr. 
The vessel was disarmed, and all hands embarked on 
her for New York. 

They passed Cape Horn safely, met fair weather, and 



150 MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT. 

in the course of time arrived off Long Island. Here 
they were overhauled by the British razee Saturn, under 
Captain Nash, who detained them for some time. 

Porter, irritated at the lack of courtesy shown in de- 
taining officers and men upon parole, pushed off during 
a foggy night in a small boat and succeeded in making 
the shore of Long Island. 

After some delay and parleying, the Essex, Jr., was 
allowed to proceed, but again she was molested by the 
frigate Narcissus and submitted to another examina- 
tion. 

Through some mistake also two American land bat- 
teries fired at the cartel as she made up the outer bay, 
but, luckily, no harm was done. At last, the next morn- 
ing, the 7th of July, 18 14, the Essex, Jr., came to an- 
chor in the inner New York harbor. 

The following morning Captain Porter arrived by 
coach from Babylon, Long Island, where he had landed. 
On his arrival in New York he received a great ovation. 
The crowd became so enthusiastic that the horses were 
taken from his carriage and it was drawn in triumph 
all over the city by the people. 

The crew and officers were put on parole until 
regularly exchanged or peace should be concluded ; 
and, as David Farragut wrote in his journal, " Thus 
ended one of the most eventful cruises of my life." 

All the training of these early days, all the hardships 
suffered, and the responsibilities that had been thrust 



THE FINALE. 151 



upon him at so tender an age, helped to make the 
future Admiral Farragut the successful man and sailor 
that he afterward became. The commander who 
rammed the rebel ironclads with his wooden prows, 
who stood lashed in the rigging of the Hartford as 
she passed the forts, only showed the same spirit that 
he had manifested when a midshipman of the Essex ; 
and as his name is now inscribed on the roll of fame, 
and as he is reckoned one of our great heroes, it all 
truly goes to show that, beyond doubt, " the boy is fa- 
ther to the man." 



THE END. 



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" It is not only a story of adventure, but the volume abounds in information con- 
cerning this most powerful of remaining Indian tribes. The work of the author has 
been well supplemented by the artist." — Boston Traveller. 

/CROWDED OUT 0' CRO FIELD. The story of a 

*—' country boy who fought his way to success in the great metropolis. 

With 23 Illustrations by C. T. Hill. i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 

"There are few writers who know how to meet the tastes and needs of boys better 
than does William O. Stoddard. 1 his excellent story teaches boys to be men, not prigs 
or Indian hunters. If our boys would read more such books, and less of the blood and- 
thunder order, it would be rare good fortune." — Detroit Free Press. 



New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 



BOOKS BY HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH. 

rHE WAMPUM BELT ; or, The Fairest Page of 
History. A Tale of William Penn's Treaty with the Indians. 
With 6 full-page Illustrations. i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 
The series of graphic historical pictures which Mr. Butterworth places before the 
readers of his new book includes scenes among the Delaware Indians, the coming of 
William Penu, the making of the Great Treaty, and other phases of Penn s life as the 
founder of a commonwealth and one of the " Creators of Liberty. 

H^HE KNIGHT OF LIBERTY. A Tale of the 
J- Fortunes of Lafayette. With 6 full-page Illustrations. i2mo. 

Cloth, $1.50. 

" The work abounds in noble sentiments and lofty ideals. A book that may be read 
with profit." — Detroit Tribune. 

"No better reading for the young man can be imagined than this fascinating narra- 
tive." — Boston Traveller. 

^HE PATRIOT SCHOOLMASTER. A Tale of 

J- the Minute Men and the Sons of Liberty. With 6 full-page 

Illustrations by H. Winthr op Peirce. i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 

" Exciting history, and it is rendered fascinating to boy readers . . .Can be rec- 
ommended as a terse, stirring, and admirable story, and it throbs throughout with the 
best spirit of Americanism."— New York Mail and Express. 

TN THE BOYHOOD OF LLNCOLN. A Story of 

-I the Black Hawk War and the Tunker Schoolmaster. With 12 
Illustrations and colored Frontispiece. i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 

"One of the best stories for youthfurreaders that has ever been written."— Boston 
Budget. 

"A work which should be put into the hands of every American hoy."— Philadel- 
phia Item. 

^HE BO YS OF GR FEN WA Y CO UR T A Story 
J- of the Early Years of Washington. With 10 full-page Illus- 
trations. i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 
" The book is replete with picturesque incidents and legends of hunting exploits 
and adventures, and the figure of young Washington is shown in a light which will be 
sure to enlist the interest of young readers."— Chicago Herald. 

y^HE LOG SCHOOL-HOUSE ON THE CO- 

■*■ LUMBIA. With 13 full-page Illustrations by J. Carter 

Beard, E. J. Austen, and Others. i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 

" This book will charm all who turn its pages. There are few books of popular 
information concerning the pioneers of the great Northwest, and this one is worthy 
of sincere praise."— Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 

New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 



GOOD BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS. 

(CHRISTINE'S CAREER. A Story for Girls. By 
\s Pauline King. Illustrated. i2mo. Cloth, specially bound, 
$1.50. 

The heroine of Miss King's charming story shares artist life in rural France and in 
Paris before she returns to her native country, where her time is divided between New 
York and Boston and the seashore. The story is fiesh and modern, relieved by inci- 
dents and constant humor, and the lessons which are suggested are most beneficial. 



J 



OHN BOYD'S ADVENTURES. By Thomas 
W. Knox, author of " The Boy Travelers," etc. With 12 full- 
page Illustrations. i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 
"The hero is alternately merchant, sailor, man-o'-war's-man, privateer's-man, 
pirate, and Algerine slave. The bombardment of Tripoli is a brilliant chapter of a 
narrative of heroic deeds." — Philadelphia Ledger. 

ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. By Charles 
^1. F. Holder, joint author of " Elements of Zoology." With 
numerous Illustrations. i2mo. Cloth, $1 50. 

"The reader will be entertained with a series of adventures, but when he is done 
he will find that he has learned a good deal about dancing cranes, corals, waterspouts, 
sharks, talking fish, disappearing islands, hurricanes, turtles, and all sorts of wonders 
of the earth and sea and air." — New York Sun. 



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NGLISHMAN'S HAVEN. By W. J. Gordon, 
author of " The Captain-General," etc. With 8 full-page Illus- 
trations. 121110. Cloth, $1.50. 

" The story of Louisbourg, which because of its position and the consequences of 
its fall is justly held one of the most notable of the world's dead cities. The story is 
admirably told." — Detroit Free Press. 

J/f/ r E ALL. A Story of Outdoor Life and Adventure in 

r V Arkansas. By Octave Thanet. With 12 full-page Illustra- 
tions by E. J. Austen and others. i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 

" A story which every boy will read with unalloyed pleasure. . . . The adventures 
of the two cousins are full of exciting interest. The characters, both white and black, 
are sketched directly from Nature, for the author is thoroughly familiar with the cus- 
toms and habits of the different types of Southerners that she has so effectively 
reproduced." — Boston Saturday Evening Gazette. 



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TNG TOM AND THE RUNAWAYS. By 
Louis Pendleton. The experiences of two boys in the forests 
of Georgia. With 6 Illustrations by E. W. Kemble. i2mo. 
Cloth, $1.50. 

"The doings of 'King' Tom, Albert, and the happy-go-lucky boy Jim on the 
swamp island, are as entertaining in their way as the old sagas embodied in Scandi- 
navian story." — Philadelphia Ledger. 



New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



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D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 



OYS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND ON THE 
PLAIA r S ; or, The Western Adventures of Tom Smart, Bob 
Edge, and Peter Small. By W. H. Rideing, Member of the 
Geographical Surveys under Lieutenant Wheeler. With 101 
Illustrations. Square 8vo. Cloth, gilt side and back, $2.50. 

" A handsome gift-book relating to travel, adventure, and field sports in the West." 
— New York Times. 

" Mr. Rideing's book is intended for the edification of advanced young readers. It 
narrates the adventures of Tom Smart, Bob Edge, and Peter Small, in their travels 
through the mountainous region of the West, principally in Colorado. The author was 
a member of the Wheeler expedition, engaged in surveying the Territories, and his 
descriptions of scenery, mining life, the Indians, games, etc., are in a great measure 
derived from personal observation and experience. The volume is handsomely illus- 
trated, and can not but prove attractive to young readers." — Chicago Journal. 



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OYS COASTWISE; or, All Along the Shore. By 

W. H. Rideing. Uniform with "Boys in the Mountains." 

With numerous Illustrations. Illuminated boards, $1.75. 

" Fully equal to the best of the year's holiday books for boys. . . . In his present trip 
the author takes them among scenes of the greatest interest to all boys, whether resi- 
dents on the coast or inland— along the wharves of the metropolis, aboard the pilot- 
boats for a cruise, with a look at the great ocean steamers, among the life-saving men, 
coast wreckers and divers, and finally on a tour of inspection of lighthouses and light- 
ships, and other interesting phases of nautical and coast life." — Christian Union. 

HE CRYSTAL HUNTERS. A Boy's Advent- 
ures in the Higher Alps. By George Manville Fenn, author 
of "In the King's Name," "Dick o' the Fens," etc. i2mo. 
Cloth, $1.50. 

"This is the boys' favorite author, and of the many books Mr. Fenn has written 
for them this will please them the best. While it will not come under the head of 
sensational, it is yet full of life and of those stirring adventures which boys always de- 
light in." — Christian at Work. 

" English pluck and Swiss coolness are tested to the utmost in these perilous ex- 
plorations among the higher Alps, and quite as thrilling as any of the narrow escapes 
is the account of the first breathless ascent of a real mountain-peak. It matters little to 
the reader whether the search for crystals is rewarded or not, so concerned does he be- 
came for the fate of the hunters." — Literary World. 

YD BEL TON: The Roy who would not go to Sea. 

By George Manville Fenn. With 6 full-page Illustrations. 

i2mo. Cloth, $1.50. 

" Who among the young story-reading public will not rejoice at the sight of the old 
combination, so often proved admirable — a story by Manville Fenn, illustrated by 
Gordon Browne? The story, too, is one of the good old sort, full of life and vigor, 
breeziness and fun. It begins weil and goes on better, and from the time Syd joins 
his ship, exciting incidents follow each other in such rapid and brilliant succession that 
nothing short of absolute compulsion would induce the reader to lay it down." — London 
Journal of Education. 



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New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 

DA UL AND VIRGINIA. By Bernardin de Saint- 

•*■ Pierre. With a Biographical Sketch, and numerous Illustra- 
tions by Maurice Leloir. 8vo. Cloth, gilt top, uniform with 
" Picciola," " The Story of Colette," and " An Attic Philosopher 
in Paris." $1.50. 
It is believed that this standard edition of " Paul and Virginia " with Leloir's charm- 
ing illustrations will prove a most acceptable addition to the series of illustrated foreign 
classics in which D. Appleton & Co. have published "The Story of Colette," "An 
Attic Philosopher in Paris, and " Picciola." No more sympathetic illustrator than 
Leloir could be found, and his treatment of this masterpiece of French literature invests 
it with a peculiar value. 



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ICCIOIA. By X. B. Saintine. With 130 Illustra- 
tions by J. F. Gueldry. 8vo. Cloth, gilt top, $1.50. 

"Saintine's 'Picciola,' the pathetic tale of the prisoner who raised a flower between 
the cracks of the flagging of his dungeon, has passed definitely into the list of classic 
books. ... It has never been more beautifully housed than in this edition, with its fine 
typography, binding, and sympathetic illustrations " — Philadelphia Telegraph. 

"The binding is both unique and tasteful, and the book commends itself strongly as 
one that should meet with general favor in the season of gift-making." — Boston Satur- 
day Evening Gazette. 

" Most beautiful in its clear type, cream-laid paper, many attractive illustrations, 
and holiday binding." — New York Observer. 

N ATTIC PHILOSOPHER IN PARIS ; or, A 
Peep at the World from a Garret. Being the Journal of a 
Happy Man. By Emii.e Souvestre. With numerous Illustra- 
tions. 8vo. Cloth, gilt top, $1.50. 

" A suitable holiday gift for a friend who appreciates refined literature." — Boston 
Times. 

"The influence of the book is wholly good. The volume is a particularly hand- 
some one." — Philadelphia Telegraph. 

"It is a classic. It has found an appropriate reliquary. Faithfully translated, 
charmingly illustrated by Jean Claude with full-page pictures, vignettes in the text, and 
head and tail pieces, printed in graceful type on handsome paper, and bound with an 
art worthy of Matthews, in half-cloth, ornamented on the cover, it is an exemplary book, 
fit to be 'a treasure for aye.' " — New York Times. 

y^HE STOR Y OF COLETTE. A new large- paper 
-* edition. With 36 Illustrations. 8vo. Cloth, gilt top, $1.50. 

"One of the handsomest of the books of fiction for the holiday season." — Philadel- 
phia Bulletin. 

"One of the gems of the season. . . . It is the story of the life of young womanhood 
in France, dramatically told, with the light and shade and coloring of the genuine 
artist, and is utterly free from that which mars too many French novels. In its literary 
finish it is well-nigh perfect, indicating the hand of the master." — Boston 7 ravetler. 

New York: D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 



T TNCLE REMUS. His Songs and his Sayings. By 
^ Joel Chandler Harris. With new Preface and Revisions, 
and 112 Illustrations by A. B. Frost. Library Edition. i2mo. 
Buckram, gilt top, uncut, $2.00. Also, Edition de luxe of the 
above, limited to 250 copies, each signed by the author, with 
the full-page cuts mounted on India paper. Svo. White vel- 
lum, gilt top, $10.00. 

" " The old tales of the plantation have never been told as Mr. Harris has told them. 
Each narrative is to the point, and so swift in its action upon the risibilities of the 
reader that one almost loses consciousness of the printed page, and fancies it is the 
voice of the lovable old darky himself that steals across the senses and brings mirth 
inextinguishable as it comes; . . . and Mr. Frost's drawings are ■ %o superlatively good, 
so inexpressibly funny, that they promise to make this the standard edition of a stand- 
ard book."— New York Tribune. 

"An exquisite volume, full of good illustrations, rnd if there is anybody in this 
country who doesn't know Mr. Harris, here is an opportunity to make his acquaint- 
ance and have many a good laugh."— New York Herald. 

"There is but one ' Uncle Remus,' and he will never grow old. . . -I* was a 
happy thought, that of marrying the work of Harris and Frost. — New York Mail 
and Express. 

" Nobody could possibly have done this work better than Mr. Frost, whose appre- 
ciation of negro life fitted him especially to be the interpreter of ' Uncle Remus, and 
whose sense of the humor in animal life makes these drawings really illustrations in the 
fullest sense. Mr. Harris's well-known work has become in a sense a classic, and this 
may be accepted as the standard edition. "—Philadelphia Turns. 

" A book which became a classic almost as soon as it was published. . . . Mr. Frost 
has never done anything better in the way of illustration, il indeed he has done any- 
thing as good." — Boston Advertiser. 

" We pity the reader who has not yet made the acquaintance of 'Uncle Remus ' 
and his charming story. . . . Mr. Harris has made a real additton to "ter.'tufe purely 
and strikingly American, and Mr. Frost has aided m fixing the work indelibly on the 
consciousness of the American reader." — The Churchman. 

" The old fancies of the old negro, dear as they may have been to us these many 
years, seem to gain new life when they appear through the medium of Mr. frosts 
imagination." — New York Home Journal. 

" In his own peculiar field ' Uncle Remus' has no rival. The book has become a 
classic, but the latest edition is the choice one. It is rarely riven to a n> author to see 
his work accompanied by pictures so closely in sympathy with his text — ban Fran- 
cisco A rgonaut. 

" We say it with the utmost faith that there is not an artist who works in illustra- 
tion that can etch the attitude and expression, the slyness the innate deprav. ty ^, the 
eye of surprise, obstinacy, the hang of the head or the kick of the heels of the mute and 
the brute creation as Mr. Frost has shown to us here."— Baltimore bun. 

New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



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D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 

HE THREE MUSKETEERS. By Alexandre 
Dumas. With a Letter from Alexandre Dumas, fils, and 250 
Illustrations by Maurice Leloir. New popular edition in two 
volumes. 8vo. Cloth, $4.00. 

"This is undoubtedly the most superb edition of Dumas's masterpiece that has ever 
been printed. A book to delight the senses as well as the mind. Both without and 
within it is all that a book can possibly be." — Chicago Times-Herald. 

" He who has read ' The Three Musketeers ' as a boy will be almost as grateful to 
Maurice Leloir for renewing his pleasure, as to Dumas for conferring it in the first in- 
stance. ... It may be said that, until he was illustrated by Leloir, no one not a French 
antiquarian could have understood him thoroughly." — The Critic. 

" We can not have too many editions of Dumas, and this particular one of his ro- 
mances is so brilliant, so interesting, so lovable, that in this new dress it takes at once 
a more favored place fhan ever in the affections of his followers." — Ne7u York Tribune. 

" The present of such a book to almost any one is to insure grateful remembrance 
for many years." — New York World. 

" Leloir has caught the spirit of the times and has made the personages seem real." 
— New York Times. 

" There is no edition equal to this in the quality of the illustrations or in the care 
which has been bestowed upon the translation." — Philadelphia Press. 

"The edition now given to the public is most elegant in all its appointments. The 
illustrations by Maurice Leloir are magnificent, and are spirited enough to be in accord 
with their subject." — Chicago Evening Post. 

" In this new and really magnificent dress the wonderfully dramatic and picturesque 
effects of the tale are admirably emphasized, for Maurice Leloir is an artist who por- 
trays something more than surfaces. ... It would be difficult to praise too highly the 
varied vigor and charm which he has provided to accompany the chronicle of ' The 
Three Musketeers.' " — Boston Beacon. 

" This standard romance has never been issued in more attractive and serviceable 
form. The young who have never become acquainted with the three knights, and the 
old who desire to renew their impressions, will alike find this edition a most agreeable 
medium." — St. Paul Pioneer Press. 

"There can be no edition equal to this in the quality of the text, or in the care 
which has been bestowed upon the translation, and it is safe to say that the final and 
standard English edition of ' The Three Musketeers ' is now presented to the public." 
— Elmira Telegram. 

" Maurice Leloir has studied the characters of Dumas's work until he has caught 
their spirit, and it is a real d'Artagnan who walks through the pages. His Athos, 
Porthos, and Aramis are alive; his duel scenes are pictures of real men, and not lay 
figures." — Brooklyn Eagle. 



New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 



y^BE FARMER'S BOY. By Clifton Johnson, 

-* author of " The Country School in New England," etc. With 
64 Illustrations by the Author. 8vo. Cloth, $2.50. 

"One of the handsomest and most elaborate juvenile works lately published." — 
Philadelphia Item. 

" Mr. Johnson's style is almost rhythmical, and one lays down the book with the 
sensation of having read a poem and that saddest of all longings, the longing for 
vanished youth." — Boston Cotnviercial Bulletin. 

"As a triumph of the realistic photographer's art it deserves warm praise quite 
aside from its worth as a sterling book on the subjects its title indicates. ... It is a 
most praiseworthy book, and the more such that are published the better." — New York 
Mail and Express. 

" The book is beautiful and amusing, well studied, well written, redolent of the 
wood, the field, and the stream, and full of those delightful reminders of a boy's 
country home which touch the heart." — New York Independent. 

"One of the finest books of the kind that have ever been put out." — Cleveland 
World. 

" A book on whose pages many a gray-haired man would dwell with retrospective 
enjoyment." — St. Paul Pioneer Press. 

" The illustrations are admirable, and the book will appeal to every one who has 
had a taste of life on a New England farm." — Boston Transcript. 



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HE COUNTRY SCHOOL IN NEW ENG- 
LAND. By Clifton Johnson. With 60 Illustrations from 
Photographs and Drawings made by the Author. Square 8vo. 
Cloth, gilt edges, $2.50. 

" An admirable undertaking, carried out in an admirable way. . . . Mr. Johnson's 
descriptions are vivid and lifelike and are full of humor, and the illustrations, mostly 
after photographs, give a solid effect of realism to the whole work, and are superbly 
reproduced. . . . The definitions at the close of this volume are very, very funny, and 
yet they are not stupid ; they are usually the result of deficient logic." — Boston Beacon. 

"A charmingly written account of the rural schools in this section of the country. 
It speaks of the old-fashioned school days of the early quarter of this century, of the 
mid-century schools, of the country school of to-day, and of how scholars think and 
write. The style is animated and picturesque. ... It is handsomely printed, and is 
interesting from its pretty cover to its very last page." — Boston Saturday Evening 
Gazette. 

"A unique piece of book-making that deserves to be popular. . . . Prettily and 
serviceably bound, and well illustrated." — The Churchman. 

"The readers who turn the leaves of this handsome book will unite in saying the 
author has 'been there.' It is no fancy sketch, but text and illustrations are both a 
reality." — Chicago Inter-Ocean. 

" No one who is familiar with the little red schoolhouse can look at these pictures 
and read these chapters without having the mind recall the boyhood experiences, and 
the memory is pretty sure to be a pleasant one." — Chicago Times. 

" A superbly prepared volume, which by its reading matter and its beautiful illustra- 
tions, so natural and finished, pleasantly and profitably recalls memories and associations 
connected with the very foundations of our national greatness." — N. Y. Observer. 



New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



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D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 



HE STORY OF WASHINGTON. By Eliza- 
beth Eggleston Seelye. Edited by Dr. Edward Eggleston. 
With over ioo Illustrations by Allegra Eggleston. A new vol- 
ume in the " Delights of History " Series, uniform with " The 
Story of Columbus." i2mo. Cloth, $1.75. 

"One of the best accounts of the incidents of Washington's life for young people." 
tm'New York Obserxier. 

" The Washington described is not that of the demigod or hero of the first half of 
this century, but the man Washington, with his defects as well as his virtues, his unat- 
tractive traits as well as his pleasing ones. . . . There is greater freedom from errors 
than in more pretentious lives." — Chicago Tribune. 

"The illustrations are numerous, and actually illustrate, including portraits and 
views, with an occasional map and minor pictures suggestive of the habits and customs 
of the period. It is altogether an attractive and useful book, and one that should find 
many readers among American boys and girls." — Philadelphia Times. 

" A good piece of literary work presented in an attractive shape." — New York 
Tribune. 

" Will be read with interest by young and old. It is told with good taste and ac- 
curacy, and if the first President loses some of his mythical goodness in this story, the 
real greatness of his natural character stands out distinctly, and his example will be all 
the more helpful to the boys and girls of this generation." — New York Churchman. 

" The book is just what has been needed, the story of the life of Washington, as 
■well as of his public career, written in a manner so interesting that one who begins 
*• will finish, and so told that it will leave not the memory of a few trivial anecdotes by 
.diich to measure the man, but a just and complete estimate of him. The illustrations 
are so excellent as to double the value of the book as it would be without them." — 
Chicago Times. 

^pHE STORY OF COLUMBUS. By Elizabeth 

J- Eggleston Seelye. Edited by Dr. Edward Eggleston. With 

IOO Illustrations by Allegra Eggleston. " Delights of History " 

Series. i2mo. Cloth, $1.75. 

"A brief, popular, interesting, and yet critical volume, just such as we should wish 

to place in the hands of a young reader. The authors of this volume have done their 

best to keep it on a high plane of accuracy and conscientious work without losing sight 

of their readers." — New York Independent. 

"In some respects altogether the best book that the Columbus year has brought 
out." — Rochester Post-Express. 

" A simple story told in a natural fashion, and will be found far more interesting 
than many of the more ambitious works on a similar theme." — New York Journal of 
Commerce. 

" This is no ordinary work. It is pre-eminently a work of the present time and of 
the future as well." — Boston Traveller. 

" Mrs. Seelye's book is pleasing in its general effect, and reveals the results of 
painstaking and conscientious study." — New York Tribune. 

"A very just account is given of Columbus, his failings being neither concealed nol 
magnified, but his real greatness being made plain." — New York Examiner. 

" The illustrations are particularly well chosen and neatly executed, and they add 
to the general excellence of the volume." — New York Times. 



New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue, 



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D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 

THE STORY OF THE WEST SERIES. 

Edited by Ripley Hitchcock. 

"There isavast extent of territory lying between the Missouri River and the Pacific 
coast which has barely been skimmed over so far. That the conditions of life therein 
are undergoing changes little short of marvelous will be understood when one recalls 
the fact that the first white male child born in Kansas is still living there; and Kansas 
is by no means one of the newer States. Revolutionary indeed has been the upturning 
of the old condition of affairs, and little remains thereof, and less will remain as each 
year goes by, until presently there will be only tradition of the Sioux and Comanches, 
the cowboy life, the wild horse, and the antelope. Histories, many of them, have been 
written about the Western country alluded to, but most if not practically all by outsiders 
who knew not personally that life of kaleidoscopic allurement. But ere it shall have 
vanished forever we are likely to have truthful, complete, and charming portrayals of 
it produced by men who actually know the life and have the power to describe it." — 
Henry Edward Koud, in Tlte Mail and Express. 

NOW READY. 

HE STOR Y OF THE INDIAN. By George 
Bird Grinnell, author of " Pawnee Hero Stories," " Blackfoot 
Lodge Tales," etc. i2mo. Cloth. Illustrated. $1.50. 

"A valuable study of Indian life and character. . . . An attractive book, ... in 
large part one in which Indians themselves might have written." — New York Tribune. 

"Among the various books respecting the aborigines of America, Mr. Grinnell's 
easily takes a leading position. He takes the reader directly to the camp-fire and the 
council, and shows us the American Indian as he really is. ... A book which will 
convey much interesting knowledge respecting a race which is now fast passing away." 
—Boston Commercial Bulletin. 

"It must not be supposed that the volume is one only for scholars and libraries of 
reference. It is far more than that. While it is a true story, yet it is a story none the 
less abounding in picturesque description and charming anecdote. We regard it as a 
valuable contribution to American literature." — N. Y. Mail and Express. 

" A most attractive book, which presents an admirable graphic picture of the actual 
Indian, whose home life, religious observances, amusements, together with the various 
phases of his devotion to war and the chase, and finally the effects of encroaching civ- 
ilization, are delineated with a certainty and an absence of sentimentalism or hostile 
prejudice that impart a peculiar distinction to this eloquent story of a passing life." — 
Buffalo Commercial. 

" No man is better qualified than Mr. Grinnell to introduce this series with the story 
of the original owner of the West, the North American Indian. Long acquaintance 
and association with the Indians, and membership in a tribe, combined with a high 
degree of literary ability and thorough education, has fitted the author to understand 
the red man and to present him fairly to others." — New York Observer. 

IN PREPARATION. 

The Story of the Mine. By Charles Howard Shinn. 
The Story of the Trapper. By Gilbert Parker. 
The Story of the Explorer. 
The Story of the Cowboy. 
The Story of the Soldier. 
The Story of the Railroad. 



New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 

" No library of military literature that has appeared in recent years has been so in. 
structive to readers of all kinds as the Great Commanders Series, which is. edited by 
General James Grant Wilson." — New York Mail and Express. 



GREAT COMMANDERS. A Series of Brief 
Biographies of Illustrious Americans. Edited by General 
James Grant Wilson. i2mo, cloth, gilt top, $1.50 per volume. 

This series forms one of the most notable collections of books that has 
been published for many years. The success it has met with since the first 
volume was issued, and the widespread attention it has attracted, indicate that 
it has satisfactorily fulfilled its purpose, viz., to provide in a popular form and 
moderate compass the records of the lives of men who have been conspicu- 
ously eminent in the great conflicts that established American independence 
and maintained our national integrity and unity. Each biography has been 
written by an author especially well qualified for the task, and the result is 
not only a series of fascinating stories of the lives and deeds of great men, 
but a rich mine of valuable information for the student of American history 
and biography. 

The volumes of this series thus far issued, all of which have received the 
highest commendation from authoritative journals, are : 

ADMIRAL FARRAGUT. By Captain A. T. Mahan, U. S. N. 
GENERAL TAYLOR. By General O. O. Howard, U. S. A. 
GENERAL JACKSON. By James Parton. 
GENERAL GREENE. By Captain Francis V. Greene, U. S. A. 
GENERAL J. E. JOHNSTON. By Robert M. Hughes, of Va. 
GENERAL THOMAS. By Henry Coppee, LL. D. 
GENERAL SCOTT. By General Marcus J. Wright. 
GENERAL WASHINGTON. By Gen. Bradley T. Johnson. 
GENERAL LEE. By General Fitzhugh Lee. 
GENERAL HANCOCK. By General Francis A. Walker. 
GENERAL SHERIDAN. By General Henry E. Davies. 

These are volumes of especial value and service to school libraries, either 
for reference or for supplementary reading in history classes. Libraries, 
whether public, private, or school, that have not already taken necessary 
action, should at once place upon their order-lists the Great Commanders 
Series. 

The following are in press or in preparation : 

General Sherman. By General Manning F. Force. 

General Grant. By General James Grant Wilson. 

Admiral Porter. By James F. Soley, late Assistant Sec'y of Navy. 

General McClellan. By General Alexander S. Webb. 

General Meade. By Richard Meade Bache. 

Commodore Paul Jones. By Admiral Richard W. Meade. 



New York : D. APPLETON & CO., 72 Fifth Avenue. 



